British Values

The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools 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 Churchfields Junior School these values are embedded throughout the curriculum and reinforced regularly in the following ways.

• Pupils are involved in democratic elections for School Councillors reflecting British electoral system. Pupils know they can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
• All pupils and staff have opportunities to share ideas and opinions by being part of one of the 16, weekly Pupil Leadership Committees.
• Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.
• Democracy in action assemblies with our local MP Rt. Honourable Iain Duncan Smith, and local councillors.
• Visits to Houses of Parliament and the London Assembly to develop political literacy.
• Year 3 PHSE spring term citizenship unit – What are my rights and responsibilities?
• Year 4 PHSE spring term citizenship unit – How do rules and laws affect me?
• Year 5 PHSE spring term citizenship unit – What is democracy?
• Year 6 PHSE spring term global citizenship unit – How are other nations similar different to ours?
• School gained Speaker of the House of Commons School Council Awards.

• Pupils wrote the descriptors for the “Going for Gold” school behaviour policy. All pupils are taught the value and reasons behind these rules, the responsibilities that they involve and the consequences when they are broken.
• The school rules are deeply embedded and each class also discusses its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every member is able to learn in a safe and ordered school.
• Pupils have regular opportunities to reflect on their learning and behaviour in assemblies and lessons.
• Pupils visit organisations that make and enforce the rule of law e.g. visits to Parliament, London Assembly, Courts and Police Stations.
• Some pupils are trained as Advocates and support peer mediation.
• The school has built close links with the local police and other services, Year 6 attending a multi-organisation citizenship day, police visit classes and carry out assemblies.

• Positive rewards for support and thought for others e.g. golden tokens, merits, G4G stickers and Head Teacher awards.
• Positive relationships encouraged and modelled, both between pupils and between pupils and adults.
• Anti-bullying assemblies, workshops and theatre groups performances.
• Children are able to ask questions or report concerns.
• Debating club fosters’ freedom of speech.
• A core purpose of the school is to encourage pupils to be fully active and positive participants in our society; e.g. litter picking, working as advocates, performing at Royal Albert Hall.
• Displays around the school promote respect.
• Every Tues at 9am dedicated pupil voice groups.
• Pupils are taught fairness, respect and self control in all sporting activities.

• Moral integrity is modelled and taught to the pupils, who do the right thing because it is morally right, not out of fear of a sanction.
• Democratic pupil organisations work in the school to raise money for charity, for school funds and to improve the environment for others. They are involved in decision making, choosing charities and spending PTA funds.
• Pupils are educated and given the freedom to make choices.
• Pupils lead lunch time clubs and everyone is a member of pupil voice groups.
• Pupils understand and show responsibility in terms of positive behaviour and learning dispositions.
• Reflection forms following incidents, showing how we can put things right and what we will do in the future.
• Home school agreement.
• Taking responsibility developed on school trips, on Year 5 French residential and Year 6 Outdoor Education Centre residential.
• Digital Leaders create videos and lead online safety assemblies.

• Celebration of faiths and cultures, through each year group visiting a different place of worship.
• RE curriculum develops an understanding of different faiths and beliefs, with visitors being invited in to school to enrich and extend understanding.
• Festival assembly celebrations, e.g. Harvest, Eid, Holi, Easter, Diwali and Christmas.
• Equalities policy and accessibility plan.
• Studying books from a range of cultures in English lessons and developing critical thinking.
• Geography and history lessons study the traditions and customs of countries within each continent.
• Opportunities for reflection in class and assemblies.
• There are 32 languages spoken in the school and we recognise our multiple identities but focus on common characteristics.
• Discriminating against others is considered red behaviour and the consequence is detention.