British Values

As an inclusive Christian community we value each person, seeking to release everyone’s full potential as promised by Jesus Christ. We seek to provide a safe, inspiring and creative learning environment providing opportunities for all to flourish. Through challenge, support and care, we strive for excellence in all that we do; always building on the foundations of shared values with consistently high expectations rooted in God’s love. Together we are encouraged to be agents of positive change in this world.

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ Romans 15:13

Welton St Mary’s Church of England Primary Academy has British values at the heart of our ethos and curriculum. We believe that it is very important that our pupils develop a set of values and principles, and that they question and understand what it means to grow up in British society. We nurture our pupils on their journey through life so they grow into caring, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the wider world. We encourage them to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and others in our school, our local community and beyond. We encourage them to be advocates of change.

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”.
At Welton St Mary’s Church of England Primary Academy , we actively promote British values in the following ways:

Promoting Democracy (aim high, have a voice and believe we can do it)

Pupils are encouraged to debate topics of interest, events that are happening in the world today and to express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school. They are able to do this in a number of ways e.g. a democratically elected school council and Collective worship questionnaires and surveys; collective worships. The school operates a system of restorative practice to resolve conflicts in peaceful and fair ways. Every person involved has a voice in the process. In all lessons and in all that we do, children are encouraged and expected to discuss their point of view, listen to others and challenge opinions – always in a respectful way.
Promoting the Rule of Law (doing the right thing)

We have a clear positive behaviour policy which helps pupils to make good choices about their behaviour. Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during collective worship, PSHE and on the playground. Children are taught that there are positive and negative consequences for their actions. This is supported by a Restorative Justice approach. When school rules are discussed, pupils recognise that they are designed to protect everyone in the school community. Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and Welton St Mary’s enjoys working with other services such as the Police and Fire services to help reinforce the message. We also place an emphasis on sports and promoting rules in team games.
Individual Liberty (to believe, act and express yourself freely )

At school, pupils are encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment, e.g. challenging themselves in their learning. They are supported to develop knowledge, self-confidence and a growth mind set in all areas of school life. Pupils are taught to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms in a safe way, e.g PSHE lessons. We actively teach pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour and support them in making informed choices through a safe environment and an empowering curriculum. They have key responsibilities in school like being a lunchtime buddy, digital leaders,.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs (respect and love others, embrace diversity and difference)

Respect is one of our core values. Pupils understand that respect is shown to everyone, both adults and children. We help them to develop an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures. Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour. Links with local faith communities and visits to places of worship is promoted and people from different faiths are invited to school to share their experiences in class. Through the PSHE and RE curriculum pupils are encouraged to understand and respect differences and similarities between people. We aim to equip pupils with a mature, respectful and sensitive appreciation for difference and diversity. Children have the opportunity to engage critically with stereotypes and prejudices and develop an understanding of how we can celebrate our heritage and home cultures whilst also embracing the beliefs and values of others. We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which major religions, cultures and ways of life are studied. Through our curriculum and Collective worships we learn about what is happening in the world around us. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths, cultures, religions and beliefs.