British Values

At Whiston Willis Primary Academy we ensure that the curriculum actively promotes fundamental British values and that these are included in all our School Policies and Practices.

Definition of “Actively Promote”

• Focus on, and show how, the school’s work is effective in securing these values.
• Challenging pupils, staff or parents who express opinions contrary to British values

Democracy: Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.  Pupils have the opportunity to air their thoughts and ideas through our School Council which meets on a half termly basis and through regular questionnaires and surveys. The School Council are appointed through a pupil/peer voting system, reflecting our current British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

The Rule of Law:The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day. Our school's behaviour systems and the use of award and reward systems we adopt ensure that every child is able to learn in a safe and secure environment.  Our 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.

Individual Liberty :

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they can do so in a safe and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering curriculum.  Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely through PSHE lessons and assemblies.

Mutual Respect: The ethos and culture created in our School is based around six ‘Rights and Responsibilities’ that all members of the School community adhere to. These ‘Rights and Responsibilities’ promote mutual respect.

• We have a right to be respected. We have a responsibility to everyone in our School community.
• We have a right to be included. We have a responsibility to accept and celebrate differences.
• We have a right to have our belongings and environment treated with respect. We have a responsibility to care for everything in our School community.
• We have a right to learn. We have a responsibility to always try our best and allow others to do the same.
• We have a right to be treated fairly. We have a responsibility to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves.
• We have a right to enjoy and be safe. We have a responsibility to be enthusiastic and keep ourselves and others safe.

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs: Our core value of respect for all others ensures tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. We enhance our pupils' understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society through assemblies, collective acts of worship, RE and PHSE lessons and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying.

Our International Schools Work with The British Council, UNICEF Rights Respecting School Commitment and use of JIGSAW as our preferred programme for PSHCE development, ensure that work related to key values is constantly addressed and reinforced throughout our curriculum and is of paramount importance in our vision and values to develop characteristics of excellent future citizens in all our pupils.