British Values Statement

At Market Drayton Junior School we ensure that through our school vision, values, rules, curriculum and teaching we promote the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles.

It is our aim that, during their time in our school, children are guided to become:

• Confident individuals
• Responsible citizens
• Successful learners
   

In order to help us accomplish this goal, we have thought carefully about the curriculum as a whole. We take very seriously our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain. All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, our RE and PSHE lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives.

The school makes considerable efforts to ensure children have exposure to a wide experience beyond their local community during which these concepts are shown, through for example, visitors, sporting events and a range of visits, including residential visits.

Democracy

At Market Drayton Junior School we promote democratic processes such as our children voting for the Children's Safeguarding Board. Ideas and events are planned and discussed with a chance for debate and putting forward points of view. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through the use of pupil questionnaires. As part of our behaviour policy, Good to be Green, pupils have the opportunity to vote for the best role model for behaviour in their class for each half-term.

Children lead other children in games and activities so that they are fully involved in all aspects of school life. We expect all our children to be good role models for each other, we encourage this through high expectations of behaviour and through our Keys to Success.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws and rules, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced in the classroom, as well as through school assemblies. Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws -that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Pupils follow a positive behaviour policy and clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used.

Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is very important. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. All pupils are keen to support charities, whether local, national or global. The School Council are responsible for electing the charities the school supports. They are taught consideration for others through our Religious Education curriculum and PSHE lessons in particular. Online safety teaching enables them to make choices in a safe manner.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils 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 pupils to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely. Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record, lunch options, of participation in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect:

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around our three Core Values:

Everyone has the right to learn;

Everyone has the right to feel safe;

Everyone has the right to be treated with respect.

Pupils participate in discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote this ethos, which is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Pupils work collaboratively during lessons and value the opinions of others.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. We follow the Shropshire Agreed syllabus for RE and use the Discovery Education Health & Relationships programme as part of our PSHE teaching. As well as Christianity, the children study other religions to develop a wider understanding of beliefs and values, for example, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam.

Some of our school assemblies are based around 'Picture News'; these are links into a topical conversation that is in the media at the time.  All of these talking points are linked in to one of the British Values, which means that the children can get to know about the British Values at a level and in a context that is appropriate to them.

Our curriculum topics offer children the chance to reflect on our core values and British values.

In Key Stage 2 British history is taught chronologically through Years 3 to Year 5, starting with a local study of our area. Periods then studied include: The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain, Britain’s settlement by the Anglo Saxons and Scots and then the Viking and Anglo Saxon struggle for the kingdom of England.

In Year 6, pupils undertake a topic about World War One looking at the impact that the military had in fighting for the British Empire.

As a school we encourage knowledge of current affairs that are significant to us as a nation. The Platinum Jubilee was a special event for the school, with the children completing a week of celebrations and activities in commemoration.  

Each year, we take part in the annual Poppy Day celebrations where children purchase poppies and a minute's silence is held in specially created assemblies for the school. Several children are selected to lay a wreath at the town cenotaph in commemoration of the armistice.