Rights Respecting School & British Values

Rights Respecting School Intent

Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School is a Rights Respecting School. Our vision is to bring children to a place where they can realise their full potential. Our Christian values are the foundations of all we do linking closely to the Rights of all children. In 1989 the world made a set of promises for every child on earth. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an International Statement of all those promises, listing 42 articles which apply to all children around the world. UNICEF protects and promotes those rights. Schools are asked to share these Rights with their pupils to raise awareness and highlight the importance of consolidating our own place within the larger world.

The aim of the Rights Respecting Award is to ensure pupils feel safe, inspired and respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. These values and embedded in the daily life of the school and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens. We currently hold the Bronze award and are working towards achieving our Silver Status award.

Classrooms have a Class Charter recognising their personal rights and how they will show respect towards others in achieving these rights. There are Articles displayed in the classrooms which the children discuss and explore to raise their awareness of this cause and to build their understanding of their input with the Convention for all children. Every class has an Ambassador who acts as their representative. They attend regular meetings; form a communication route between the adults in the school and their class and help to develop the status we hold as a school dedicated to the needs of all children.

Children are part of the decision making in our school. The school works for the good of the children and their thoughts and opinions are a necessary component in school dynamic.

British Values at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School

The Department for Education have 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.”

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister

At Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School we promote these values and aim to create tomorrows citizens who will respect others, be tolerant and support others.

DEMOCRACY

We listen to children’s and parents’ voice's. Our behaviour policy is clear that children are expected to contribute and co-operate, taking into account the views of others. Parent surveys and pupil questionnaires are regularly taken.

The election of school Ambassadors in Years 2-6 reflect the British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action.

In EYFS we support children’s personal, social and emotional development (PSED) by giving them opportunities to develop their self-confidence and self-awareness, to make choices and decisions about what they want to explore and how they’re going to use the resources we have made accessible to them. (PSED).

THE RULE OF LAW

We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations (rules); that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken. This is reinforced in different contexts:

Classroom rules and playground rules are reviewed regularly and reinforced through assemblies and in classroom discussions at least each term. Children all contribute to their class rules at the start of the year. Rewards in the form of Merits and certificates are given to children who show exemplary behaviour and agreed sanctions are in place for those who break the rules.

In EYFS we learn the difference between right and wrong, about behaving within agreed and clearly defined boundaries and about dealing with consequences. (PSED)

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and empowering teaching.

In EYFS we focus on children’s self-confidence and self-awareness and people and communities. (PSED/UW). We help children to develop a positive sense of themselves and to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities

In key stage 1 the Relationships and Health Education Curriculum (taught weekly) teaches the importance of making safe choices and encouraging children to develop independence and freedom to make choices for themselves.

The key stage 2 Relationship and Health Education Curriculum is taught weekly and further enhanced through Philosophy Assemblies and Vote for Schools. We teach the importance in making safe choices and encouraging children to develop independence and freedom to make choices for themselves. This is also reflected in the teaching of our Relationships and Sex Education (Journey in Love- linked to our Come and See Religious Education Curriculum).

MUTUAL RESPECT

Staff help children understand respect by modelling respectful, caring relationships and listening skills. Staff also help children to understand respect by talking about how actions and words can affect others.

In EYFS we learn to treat others as we want to be treated. How to be part of a community, manage our feelings and behaviour and form relationships with others.

TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS

We aim to enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs by participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year. As a Catholic School we discuss similarities between our faith and others. We celebrate the children’s different faiths in our main hall along with our own faith and encourage children to be aware of and celebrate their differences and similarities. We have an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance in our setting, where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and where we encourage children to engage with their wider community.

Our school values contribute to the promoting and teaching of British Values throughout all year groups. Children are asked at least weekly to share their opinions on a topical British Values or Social Justice Question on our British Values Board.

Spiritual

Pupils explore values and beliefs including religious beliefs and the way they impact on our lives. We teach pupils to reflect and learn from each other. Our ethos and school environment ensures all pupils can grow, flourish, respect others and be respected

Some examples of how we promote spiritual development include:

• School Mission Statement and values
• Charity work and fundraising
• RHE and Religious Education curriculum
• Enrichment to our curriculum (Trips and Workshops)
• Counselling
• Themed days/ weeks
• Class/ whole school celebration assemblies
• Relationship and Health Education, Come and See Religious Education Curriculum
• Drama and role play

Moral

Providing a clear moral code is the basis for the behaviour which is promoted consistently at Our Lady of Lourdes. Children are taught and supported to recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.

Some examples of how we promote moral development include:

• Charity Fundraising
• Assemblies
• Relationships and Health Education Curriculum
• Come and See Religious Education Curriculum
• Behaviour policy and class rules
• School Mission Statement
• School Ambassadors

Social

At Our Lady of Lourdes we foster a sense of community with common inclusive values to ensure that everyone regardless of their ethnic origin, nationality, gender, ability or religion can flourish. We aim to teach children to use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance.

We promote social development through:

• Charity fundraising
• Our school curriculum
• Assemblies
• Positive Behaviour Policy
• Performances and assemblies
• School events
• School Trips and Workshops

Cultural

We expose children to a variety of different cultural imagery and languages so that they can appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

Some examples of how we promote cultural development include:

• Assemblies
• Celebration of different faiths
• School Trips
• Visitors in school
• World Book Day
• Curriculum-EYFS – PSED/Understanding the World
• Black History Month