British Values
As our motto 
Please read below to see how we promote these values through the curriculum as well as the wider life of the school:
Democracy
The importance of democracy is taught at an age-appropriate level through the curriculum and assemblies. Examples include: Year 4 children learning about the Magna Carta; Year 5 pupils learning about the divide in Britain during the time of Oliver Cromwell; in the topic ‘Has Greece always been in the News?’ children learn about how democracy first developed.
Our School Council is a democratically elected group of pupils. There are 2 representatives per class from Year 1 upwards and they usually meet every week.
Current affairs and news items are discussed at an age appropriate level. For example, Year 6 children followed the American Presidential election in 2017. Year 6 pupils also researched the European Referendum, presented their arguments in assembly and all KS2 pupils voted in our own polling station.
The Rule of Law
Pupils are taught about school rules and learn about the history of the rule of law in Britain. For example, as part of their ‘Who were the early lawmakers?’ topic, children learn about the importance of law, parliament and punishment . They discuss why we have rules and laws and agree class rules. We work with representatives of the Fire Service, Police, health professions and others to learn about the reasoning and purpose behind a particular set of rules, such as road and quarry safety.
Individual Liberty
Children are encouraged to be aware of the importance of taking responsibility for their choices. They learn about individual liberty in history and the wider world through the curriculum topics and assemblies. Examples of aspirational people who have fought for liberty and freedom are celebrated in topics and assemblies e.g. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks.
Year 6 explored propaganda in the ‘How could Hitler have convinced a nation to follow him?’ and, at an appropriate level, learned about the Holocaust. Children explored this through the eyes of a young Jewish boy whose story was told at the Holocaust Centre.
Mutual Respect
We expect pupils to take care of their school and each other. Pupils have responsibilities such as school councillors, Head Boy and Head Girl. Children enjoy and value these roles, treating each other respectfully. We also celebrate children's achievements, for example, through our Friday 'Good News Assemblies'.
Children are positive and keen to reflect on experiences; they understand the consequences of their actions, and recognise the difference between right and wrong. They are able to debate and discuss moral issues and offer reasoned views - this was evident in the Year 6 ‘How could Hitler have convinced a nation to follow him?’ topic when children gave reasons and discussed the rise of the Nazis and the Holocaust.
In the Summer term, 2018, money was raised to support two local churches who had been burgled. We work closely with the local Food Bank, which has been supported through Harvest collections. The school has close links with the community, including organising a residents’ Christmas afternoon, as well as work with local museums and British Legion, to promote Remembrance Day. In November 2018, as part of the WW1 Centenary commemorations, children worked with local residents to make poppies, write poems and the choir sang war songs, as part of a community event on Remembrance Sunday.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Children learn about tolerance, thinking first about co-operation, sharing, being kind and generous to one another. One of our school aims, ‘diversity’, was chosen to ensure we go the extra mile to ensure our pupils (who are predominantly white British) not only tolerate difference, but actively celebrate diversity.
Pupils learn about other faiths, values and cultures, celebrating festivals such as the Chinese New Year, Diwali, Christmas etc. through whole school assemblies, events and the RE curriculum. Pupils are provided with opportunities to reflect on their own and others’ spiritual beliefs; for example, Year 2 took part in a Hindu Workshop day as part of their ‘Around the World in 30 days’ topic (October 2018).
The school follows the Derbyshire agreed syllabus for RE. Local churches visit the school to lead assemblies each term and children are encouraged to reflect on their own and others’ beliefs and faiths. The school provides regular opportunities for children to learn about other cultures: as part of the Summer transition activities, pupils shared information about their families and heritage, including those from other countries and cultures, celebrating diversity. In October 2018, we celebrated Black History month and children learn about the lives of influential people such as Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks within the curriculum. Children enjoyed participating in a whole school music and dance workshop with ‘The Mighty Zulu Nation’ (October 2018).
