At Christ Church C.E our aim is to nurture and empower our learners to achieve their own academic potential and gain the confidence and skills to ensure that they excel at our school, higher education/university and beyond.
We try our best
We take pride in our work
We give 100%
We treat people how we would like to be treated
We include each other
We take responsibility for our actions
We say we can
We have a go
We ask for help if we need it
We aim to succeed
We believe in ourselves
We learn from making mistakes
At Christ Church Primary School, we embrace our responsibility in preparing children for their next stage of education and for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. We carefully lay the foundations so that our pupils can take their place successfully in modern British society.
The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to 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.” The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister. At Christ Church, these British Values are central to our vision of ‘Love, Learn, Discover’ and they are promoted and reinforced regularly in the following ways.
Specific examples of how we enhance understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs include:
· in RE, PSHE and other lessons develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures both in the present day and in the past. We follow a scheme of work for RE and PHSE.
· carefully chosen learning themes that consider cultures from other parts of the world
· school to school networking with local primary schools (WEB cluster)
· assemblies are planned to reflect the diverse nature of our community and country through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures
· members of different faith groups are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school
The Governing Body at Christ Church CE Primary School fully endorses what, and how, the school is promoting British values but also recognise that, sadly, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to these values. However, such instances are rare and we actively challenge pupils, staff, governors or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views, in line with our Behaviour Policy, Anti-bullying Policy and Equality and Diversity Policy.
Democracy is widespread within the school as we believe that it is important that the children feel part of the school community and that their opinions and ideas are valued. We provide regular opportunities for children, parents and staff to participate in the democratic process and to have their voices heard.
Every year, pupils elect School Council representatives from Year 2-6 which involves the children writing applications, campaigning and voting. The School Council meet frequently to discuss many widespread issues, before returning to their classes and collecting the opinions of their peers in order to feedback at the next council meeting.
Pupils contribute to the design of a personalised curriculum by completing pupil questionnaires. Here, they offer their opinions on many topics including, helping us to choose the types of resources used within school as well as voting for the charities that the school will support that year.
Further opportunities for children to have their say are well embedded. Children are encouraged to communicate their thoughts, feelings and concerns during PSHE and P4C lessons, as well as throughout the wider curriculum where we actively encourage children to debate their ideas whilst respecting the opinions of others.
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express individual views and beliefs. The children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. By offering clear and consistent boundaries within school, children are also advised on how to exercise their rights safely, for example, through our E-Safety, PSHE and RSE curriculum as well as participating in numerous extra-curricular clubs. Making the right choice in different situations is seen as an important part of giving the children the skills necessary to make the right decisions when faced with difficult and risky situations.
Mutual respect is at the heart of our aims and values at Christ Church. We place an emphasis on creating an inclusive school ethos, where all the different experiences of children and their families are valued and that children and their families feel safe cared for. Our staff use our 4 school values; Excellence, Respect, Challenge and self-belief, as our way of supporting children to develop mutually respectful relationships with everyone in school. We actively encourage pupils to show empathy for others, as well as developing their sense of responsibility and accountability for their own actions.
Our pupils work well and collaborate together, care for one another and learn to respect differences. Celebrations across many themes have helped children gain insights into each other’s backgrounds and to recognise the positive aspects of different cultures. Our children know why it is important that they all make a positive contribution to their own class, the school and the community as a whole. Children are proud of the school, they know that they as individuals are valued and respected.
Our children know, and understand, that it is expected, and important, that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have, and to respect everything ranging from school equipment to religious beliefs to family background. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
The importance of rules and laws, including those that govern our school or country, are regularly reinforced here at Christ Church Primary. Pupils understand why we have laws and the consequences when laws are broken. Integral to school life is our School values of Excellence, Respect, Self-Belief and Challenge. These four values sit alongside our Christian Values of Compassion, Respect, Care, Love and Forgiveness and actively encourage good behaviour within and outside of school. Our behaviour system called ‘Good to be Green’ is well embedded throughout the school. Children pride themselves by trying to achieve a green card and to stay on green in lessons and throughout the day. In EYFS, a similar approach is adopted whereby children work hard to reach the rainbow and stay on it. Regular lessons and assemblies are held to promote The Rule of Law, not least our Friday celebration assemblies where we have the opportunity to celebrate the fantastic choices and behaviours that our pupils make.
