Grazeley Parochial CE (Aided) Primary School

'Be courageous; Be strong; Do everything in love'

British Values

Our Christian values are also underpinned by the British Values. Our work on these values is evidenced on this page.

Promoting British Values

We are a C of E school and our Christian values of love, hope, peace and courage are at the heart of everything that we do and believe in.  Children are immersed in a set of values for life and are the best ambassadors for showing our values in their everyday lives.

At Grazeley we also uphold and teach pupils about the British Values which are defined as:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values are taught explicitly thorough our PSHE scheme of work and through RE.  We also teach the British values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.

The school also takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our daily collective worship and whole school structures such as electing and running a successful school council.

Democracy

How we promote it:

Links to school values: LOVE and COURAGE

Love one another as I have loved you. John 13.34

Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon. Psalm 31:24

  • We have an elected school council that meets every other week. In September candidates prepare election speeches and a boy and a girl representative are elected from each class.
  • The School Council are involved in key decisions about school life such as charity fund raising, special days/weeks with a specific focus and they regularly suggest ways to improve school life.
  • Children’s opinions are listened to by all staff; for example children raise issues with their school council representatives which are then taken to School Council meetings and addressed with the Headteacher.
  • Year 6 children apply for specific jobs by writing an application to become a Library Assistant, Football Referee, Sports Coach, or Play Leader. These children take key responsibilities throughout the school day.
  • Year 6 children also act as ‘buddies’ to our new Reception children which gives them a huge responsibility.
  • All children in KS2 are given the opportunity to lead Collective Worship for their own classes and for younger children.
  • The beginnings of democracy are taught through the history topic on Ancient Greece.
  • Democracy is also taught within PSHE lessons and History. Around the time of a General Election, the process is followed around the school in age appropriate ways.
  • Through our oracy work, children learn how to debate and discuss with others respectfully and to disagree with love.

The Rule of Law

How we promote it:

THE RULE OF LAW

Links to school values: PEACE

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

  • We have high expectations of pupil conduct and this is reflected in our school rules which are based on our Christian values and ethos and our behaviour policy which is understood by all children.
  • We have a behaviour curriculum: ‘Be Ready, Be respectful, Be Safe’ which sets out our expectations of all children throughout the school day.
  • We start every year with classes drawing up their class rules.
  • Rewards for good learning behaviours are given in Friday assemblies.
  • Through our core values and the Christian texts which underpin them, children are taught about love, hope, peace and courage, and are supported as they think about how to know the right thing to do, even when the choice is a difficult one.

Individual Liberty

How we promote it:

Links to school values: HOPE and COURAGE

Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon. Psalm 31:24

  • Through our Christian foundation, collective worship and teaching across the curriculum, particularly in PSHE, children are taught about personal responsibility, the courage to stand up for what is right, justice, resilience and aspiration.
  • Children are encouraged to learn “behaviours for learning” and to be courageous learners, preparing them for a rapidly changing world. Children in all year groups are actively encouraged to be brave learners, ‘have a go’, take risks in the learning and learn from mistakes.
  • Our Curriculum has been developed to encourage children to think deeply about topics, ideas and their responsibility to the world around them.  They are encouraged to be ‘courageous advocates’.
  • Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including online. This is done through computing lessons, PSHE lessons and lessons across the curriculum that involve using computing as well as an annual e-safety day.
  • Bullying is not tolerated. Children are taught about bullying through their PSHE sessions and are encouraged to talk about feelings, worries and anxieties. A highly skilled family support advisor is utilised to allow individuals to express concerns privately and to discuss ways to move forward.
  • Children’s needs, both emotionally and those caused by financial or family disadvantage, are considered on an individual basis and appropriate support is given.
  • All children are given regular opportunities to explore critical thinking issues and develop their ability to discuss their options, exploring how they may agree or disagree with one another.

Mutual Respect

How we promote it:

Links to school values: LOVE and PEACE

Love one another as I have loved you. John 13.34

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

  • All staff and children are treated equally and with respect. Every adult has the right to reward or sanction good or unacceptable behaviour.
  • Through our school vision statement and values, children are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative, collaborative and supportive.
  • We have high expectations of pupil conduct and this is reflected in our school rules which are based on our Christian values and ethos and our behaviour policy which is understood by all pupils.
  • Our curriculum is structured to ensure that children learn about different places around the world in a real context. They are made aware of similarities between their lives and those of people in other cultures through real contexts.
  • We actively promote and discuss ‘Protected Characteristics’ through Collective Worship themes and PSHE.
  • Children take part in Comic Relief and Children in Need as well as charitable events which have often been suggested by the children, in order to make a difference to the lives of those around them.

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

How we promote it:

Links to school values: LOVE and PEACE

Love your neighbour as yourself. Mark 12 v.31

 

  • Through our RE curriculum children learn about the four main religions of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. Through this they are taught respect for those of different faiths and none.
  • Our community is made up from children and families from many different cultures and background who learn to respect each other through learning and living together in our loving community.
  • Our children meet people from many different backgrounds and cultures through a variety of visitors that come into school.
  • We carry out a ‘Prayer Space’ annually to give children an opportunity to consider their own faith or beliefs in a quiet and safe space.
  • Children are encouraged to share about their religion or cultural backgrounds with their class or their school, especially at times of celebration that differ from the Christian celebrations that the whole school celebrate.
  • Through our PSHE curriculum and the question and concept based core of out curriculum, children are taught to respect and value lives and viewpoints that differ from their own.
  • Our Foundation Stage have an annual ‘Family Festival’ to share and celebrate all of the cultures in the class.  This year, all classes will visit.
Love your neighbour as yourself. Mark 12 v.31