The DfE have recently reinforced the 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 Dallington these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
At Dallington we believe it is important that the children feel part of the school community and that their opinions and ideas are valued. We give children many opportunities for their voices to be heard. The children have varied roles and responsibilities to help us continue to improve Dallington. Children take on roles in a variety of ways: Playground leaders, House groups, E Cadets, Tour Guides, and School Council members from Years 1-6 are elected by their peers.
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through fortnightly School Council Meetings. The elected councillors discuss issues and suggest ways to improve the life of the school and contribute to the local and wider community, for example deciding which charities and fundraisers the school should support for the year, organising whole school events – carnival, Queen’s tea party.
Our whole school Creative Curriculum ensures that our children deepen their understanding and feel part of the local and wider community, for example through termly topics and special weeks such as ‘Dallington Election’ to coincide with the general election in May and ‘Carnival’ in the current 2016-2017 academic year.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message. Knowing, understanding and following our Golden Rules is essential for our school to be a safe learning environment.
The Golden Rules apply to all members of the school community.
Our Golden Rules are on display in all classrooms, in corridors and are reinforced by all staff members. We have regular assemblies about the Golden Rules to promote children’s understanding and social development. 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. Playground leaders and all children work alongside adults to support each other in the playground.
Each class develops its own set of class rules at the beginning of each year. These are discussed as a class and ensure that all children are aware of but instrumental in creating a safe and exciting environment.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Our school ethos outlines our determination to prepare children for the ‘wider community’. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
Our Christian values of Love, Respect, Forgiveness, Thankfulness, Friendship and Hope alongside our school ethos underpin our school philosophy. We believe our school vision and values are essential in developing well rounded citizens. Every half term the whole school focuses on a value. These values are incorporated into whole school assemblies and lessons.
We are an inclusive school and through our playground leaders and generally wonderful children we ensure that children not only feel welcome in our school but understand the values and ethos of the school. This promotes not only the values of our school but also of the country as a whole, as democracy, tolerance and rule of law are central to the schools vision.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Dallington is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
We believe our school to be at the centre of our local community; our vision and values are embodied in celebrations and events such as fundraising evenings, the school fair, our recent centenary celebrations, our charitable work and participation in various sporting, academic and artistic endeavours.