Teaching British Values
At St. Michael’s School, we work within a Christian philosophy and positively promote our Christian ethos. We aim to provide the best possible education to prepare and equip children for life in our multi-faith and multi-cultural world.
We wish for our children to acquire a spirit of enquiry, positive attitudes, and a concern for others, all within a caring community. Each child will be actively encouraged to develop their own capabilities to the full. We will recognise the worth and value of each child, and the importance of their self-esteem. In November 2014 The Department for Education published guidance on promoting British values in schools. All schools have a duty to ‘actively promote’ the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. At St. Michael’s CofE School we endorse the Christian values. These values are taught and underpin our whole curriculum. So that, children are given every opportunity to practice key learning behaviours that support the school’s vision to create valued members of our community. At St. Michael’s CofE School we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including extremist views. Pupil voice is used as a tool for school improvement. The Class School Council books and school council display in the KS2 building is an example of pupil’s ideas for the future of their school and strengths that they have identified and are proud of. Pupil questionnaires are used to priorities actions and to evaluate the success and impact of change. The school has four Houses and each House has a Captain and a Vice-Captain selected from Year 6. The children in Year 6 vote for the Captain and Vice-Captain. In Year 5 pupils learn about Government in their PSHE lessons. Parents complete a questionnaire once a year and comments are used to improve the school. The concept of law is introduced through the development of rules which govern the school. Pupils, parents and staff agree the rules by which the school is to be run, the rationale for the rules and the sanctions which any failure to uphold will incur. A consistently applied Behaviour Policy is shared with the children and visible in all areas of the school. Expectations are reinforced regularly and opportunities are sought frequently to praise positive choices. Pupils’ modelling behaviour consistent with the school’s high expectations are recognised and used as role models to others. The policy allows time for pupils to talk through poor behaviour choices and discuss strategies they may use to resolve conflict. Trained playground buddies operate on the playground to support children and help them. Through assemblies and the school’s PSHE/Citizenship curriculum, children develop an understanding of law appropriate to their age. Access to high quality text gives pupils a safe way of exploring the ‘breaking’ of laws and an opportunity to discuss consequences when this occurs. Pupils are taught explicitly that laws keep us safe. Regular contact with our community police officers builds positive relationships with the Police from an early age and children understand their role in maintaining a peaceful community. Visits from other external agencies such as the Fire service and Health professionals reinforces their understanding of the responsibilities held by various professions.British Values
Democracy
The Rule of Law