British Values
At Georgeham CofE Primary School, we actively 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. These values are exemplified in our curriculum, through collective worship, and through our core values which guide how we lead our lives in school and prepare children for their role in society.
Democracy: Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council that meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class meetings. Members are elected democratically by their classmates. The school council makes decisions on how to raise money for charities, plans celebrations and festivities, and helps resolve issues.
The Rule of Law: The importance of laws, whether they govern the class, school, or country, is consistently reinforced throughout the school day, during behaviour management, and through collective worship or assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, their role in governing and protecting us, the responsibilities they entail, and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from agencies such as the Fire Service and the Police help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty: Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices in a safe and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to voice their opinions through debate and reflect on their learning during one-to-one and small group pupil conferencing sessions with school staff. They are taught to know, understand, and exercise their rights and personal freedoms safely, for example through E-Safety lessons. As pupils move through the school, they are given more responsibilities and freedoms, contributing to class rules and applying for leadership roles that encourage independence.
Mutual Respect: Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours affect their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Pupils understand that respect should be shown to everyone equally. Visitors to the school often comment on the high level of respect shown to them.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs: Georgeham CofE Primary School is proud of its diversity despite being located in rural location. New pupils are warmly welcomed and embraced. Assemblies promote the cultural diversity of our school through celebrations of world faiths and stories from various cultures. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences to enhance learning both in collective worship and in classes.