At Churchill Primary School, we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum. We want to ensure our children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

 What are the British Values?

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

 What do our children learn through the British Values?

• An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
• An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
• An acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated and not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour.
• An understanding of the importance of discrimination and identifying and combating it.

 How do we embed the British Values into the life of our school?

 Democracy  

Children, parents and staff have opportunities to express their opinions and have their voice heard at Churchill Primary School.  Pupil, parent and staff voice takes place and the results of which are shared with all of our key stakeholders.  Our children have the opportunity to vote for those that represent them on the School Council and on other occasions, such as our annual Churchill’s Got Talent competition. Election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of two representatives from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes and are encouraged to effect change within the school.  In the past, the School Council have hosted fundraising activities and helped to provide equipment for our school grounds as selected by the children; have designed and led whole school events such as cake sales for charity and arranged events to support the local Food Bank.

 The Rule of Law

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and often reinforced, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses its set of class rules to ensure all can learn in a safe and ordered environment where they can learn and be successful and these rules are then displayed in each class throughout the year. This value is reinforced in different ways, including visits from authorities such as the police and fire service, and during Religious Education when rules for particular faiths are thought about. These values are also considered during other school subjects where there is respect and appreciation for different rules, such as in sports lessons. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws – that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when the rules and laws are broken.

 Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum, and to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedom safely, for example, through our e-Safety teaching and active playtime challenges during break times. Through opportunities such as our extra-curricular clubs, sports activities during break times and residential trips, pupils are given the freedom to make safe choices.

 Mutual Respect

We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and we listen to and respect each other. All members of the school family are valued equally. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. We celebrate each other’s achievements, whether that be in or out of school, through our weekly celebration assemblies and 'Star of the Week' certificates. Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. Our older children are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children, e.g. Reading Buddies, House Captains, Ambassadors, Librarians and Play Leaders, which helps to promote mutual respect across the age phases.

 Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Churchill Primary School our Christian foundation is very important in the life of our school and Christian values are evident in all aspects of school life and children recognise the importance of living by these values. Respect is a key value underpinning how we behave and we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith and beliefs and assemblies and discussions in RE and PSHE enable children to reflect on prejudices and prejudicial behaviour, including bullying. As a school, we enjoy celebrating a range of different religious festivals throughout the school year.