British Values

British Values at Grafton

Democracy

Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to

have their voices heard through our school council and rights ambassadors. Pupils apply for positions of responsibility, give speeches and attend an interview. Pupils play an integral part in staff recruitment and selection process. Children apply for these roles and hold regular meetings to discuss improvements, campaigning and how we respect and understand each other’s rights.

As part of our World Children’s Day, on Friday 22nd, children in Year 4 learned about democracy and took part in a class vote. We set up a polling station and children voted on a subject they would like to remove from the curriculum.

Rule of law

Familiarisation with rules and routines is a fundamental element of life with which pupils engage at  Grafton School. Understanding how rules offer protection and safety, and being aware of the consequences of good and bad decisions, is essential in ensuring that pupils make the right choices. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

We support pupils in this through:

- Assembly and PSHE(Jigsaw)  lessons to reinforce the school’s behaviour systems.

-Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, the fire brigade and many more.

We believe that clear explanations and real-life stories emphasise the importance of the Rule of Law for our pupils. Our UNICEF Rights Respecting Days further emphasis this as well as our Article of the Week and our Rights Respecting Citizen awards.

‘If you learn about these rights, you will be aware of tolerance, care, supervision and support needed to protect all children from being deprived  of a happy, safe, healthy and successful life’  Mustafa, Year 6

‘The Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the rights that have been created for children to develop their full potential.’ Alina, Year 6

Individual liberty

At Grafton Primary 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an 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 Online Safety and PSHE lessons. The Rights of the Child, as highlighted in the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child, are displayed around the school and each week an article from the Convention is displayed in each

class/ office area and is discussed with the children.

We work to create a positive culture at Grafton so that pupils are in a secure, safe environment where choices are encouraged. In lessons, learning tasks are challenging and require cooperation, hard work, and perseverance. Pupils understand they may have to take appropriate risks, and sometimes the award may not go to them. They are taught to support and encourage each other through working with their learning partners. We offer a range of clubs that pupils can choose from based on their interests. 

 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. Adults strive to model respect in all they do. We celebrate diversity in our RE and PSHE lessons through our assemblies, theme days, parent/carer coffee morning, visits to places of worship and more.

Our pupils learn together with respect for each other. This is our school motto, which is encouraged daily through ‘Together we learn, together we achieve’ and our work as a Rights-Respecting School. Our Rights Ambassadors work hard to promote children’s rights.

‘It is important to learn about our rights because we are all equal and should be treated equally.' Tariq, Year 6

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Grafton Primary School is situated in a culturally diverse area and we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity within the school community. Assemblies are regularly planned to include stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths. Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

Visitors from other faiths and cultures enrich the curriculum but cultural diversity is embedded in the work of the school.