Chieveley Primary School
At Chieveley Primary School we ensure that through our school vision, rules, curriculum and teaching we promote tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles.
We have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe. We value the importance of the current 2011 Ofsted guidance,
ensure that they and the school promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), cultures and lifestyles; and support and help, through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community, to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain
Democracy: Democracy is a fundamental aspect of the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, House Captains, Green Gang and in class debates. Elections for School Council representatives are undertaken in each class. Elections for House and Deputy House Captains are undertaken in a Y2 and upwards assembly where the candidates present their vision. National elections are discussed and explored in whole school assemblies and in class. Democracy is evident within our school. Headboy and Headgirl are instrumental in the functioning of the school council. Children are encouraged to vote for a variety of tasks/treats etc. in class – this demonstrates, from EYFS and upwards, democracy being embedded right from the child’s initial school journey. In Year 6, pupils visit The Houses of Parliament taking a workshop on democracy in action meeting our MP for a detailed question and answer session. The class later cascades their learning to the school in an assembly. Children are always able to voice their opinions and we foster an environment where children are safe to disagree with each other.
The Rule of Law: The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Our Class Promise is re-negotiated, as a class, every year across the school. Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, etc are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty: Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and a challenging education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Children are encouraged to feel proud of their own values, culture and beliefs. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect: Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around values such as respect, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our agreed classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. As our Equalities Objectives states:
We are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers receiving services from the school, irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or social-economic background. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity and are able to participate fully in school life. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
The Year 6 pupils have a long standing tradition of selling poppies to the community and representing Chieveley School at the cenotaph ceremony in the village on the 11th November. With a military base nearby, services families are part of our school community.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs: We value the diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the similarities differences in our community and the wider world. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. For example year 2 and year 4 had visits from a Rabbi whilst studying Judaism. The Diwali festival was experienced by both KS1 and KS2 classes through activities such as writing the story of Rama and Sita, creating Rangoli patterns and sharing in an interactive assembly. Discussions and assemblies involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
British Values and our Curriculum Map: As a staff we have made concerted efforts to ensure that underpinning all this, are a range of curriculum topics which have strong links to core British Values, British history and the wider world. During a re-evaluation of the wider curriculum 2017 - staff are endeavouring to ensure that all opportunities to focus on British Values are referenced explicitly through our Curriculum Map.
As a staff we keep an on-going record of events, topics, assemblies where we have referenced our British Values and this is up-dated regularly. Events such as Harvest Festivals take a global dimension as do the study of the ethos behind Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight.
As a whole school, we have celebrated the World Cup and the Olympics, with themed sports days and competitions. In recent years, we celebrated the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the birth of Prince George and Princess Charlotte with special assemblies and themed lessons. Events such as The Golden Jubilee and the Queen’s 90th Birthday are huge event for the school, with a 'street party' events held on the school playground.
We are very proud at Chieveley School as we feel Our Chieveley Values are a true reflection of British Values.