St. Anne (Stanley) C of E Primary School is committed to serving its community and surrounding areas. We recognise the multicultural, multi-faith nature of the United Kingdom and understand the crucial role our school plays in promoting these values. We are a school for all.
This statement outlines the key British values we actively promote. It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. We are dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British Values to all its students.
The five key British Values are:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At St. Anne (Stanley) our ethos and values are based on Christian values, all of which are linked to those listed above. We value the backgrounds of all our pupils and families and we undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for everyone as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world.
Democracy
Children are involved in democratic processes e.g. voting for school councillors. The school councillors are led by a member of staff who adhere to democratic processes. We have links to the local PCSOs who come into school to educate the children about upholding British law and the prosecution service. Through teaching in PSHE and the creative curriculum children are taught about freedom of speech and the how individual’s voice can make a positive difference to the lives of others.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are reinforced during the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Specific assemblies are delivered with a focus on the law e.g. Safety Awareness and E-safety Awareness. 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. We have links with the local police through the PCSO.
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 empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms as well teaching them that how they act can impact positively and negatively on others. They are advised how to exercise these freedoms safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, how they record work or participate in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Respect for each other, for our school and to others in our community is an integral part of our school ethos and Behaviour Policy. Pupils see staff model this by treating each other with respect and courtesy and we promote this in the way our children interact with each other in their classes and during social times. Mutual respect and fair play is also discussed within sports based activities. We teach children about the unfairness of discrimination based on someone’s faith, culture or beliefs.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Our R.E curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures. We encourage pupils to understand our culturally diverse society Opportunities to share and discuss this message occur through assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been promoted through RE and PSHE, ‘Anti-Bullying’ and other themed weeks, as well as taking opportunities to tackle this during every day school life. Children listen to faith stories from other religions and have opportunities to discuss these. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.