Democracy is important within the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. The elections of members of our school council, Eco Committee, Head Boy, Head Girl, Deputy Head Boy, Deputy Head Girl and House Captains are based solely on pupil votes. Pupils are encouraged to engage in debates and express their views across the curriculum. For example, the children discuss the characters they meet through literature and give their opinions concerning their actions. They also enthusiastically offer their thoughts on environmental issues, whether real or engineered as part of their topic. We promote the children’s respect for public institutions and services through specific curriculum topics, including visits from doctors, the fire brigade and police force.

An understanding of civil liberty is developed through our outward facing values of fulfilling the rights due to oneself, to others, the environment and wider community.

There is a strong anti-bullying culture in school, managed by our anti-bullying strategy. We hold an annual anti-bullying week and incorporate anti-bullying strategies into our curriculum across the year.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example, through our e-Safety policy where children are taught to keep their personal information confidential, and PSHE lessons where they cover units on Human Rights.

Our pupils are encouraged to give their opinions and share these ideas with due regard for the feelings of others. As part of our PSHE curriculum, we place a huge emphasis on the social and emotional learning of our pupils.

Respect and tolerance are two of our core values and as such, our pupils are encouraged to respect individual differences and challenge discrimination.

We enhance pupils’ understanding of their own and other cultures through a wide programme of assemblies and learning in RE, PSHE and the wider curriculum. Specific examples are themes on celebrations and festivals.

Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning and the children also visit places of worship in the local community, for example, the local mosque, church and temple.

An understanding of the rule of law is developed through class discussions around the rights and responsibilities of the pupils. This informs relationships and behaviour in school and shapes classroom and school rules.

Our pupils are trained as ‘Peer Mediators’ and participate in the resolution of minor playground disputes.

Helping pupils distinguish between right and wrong is an integral part of the school day, however, specific curriculum units in PSHE and RSE are also used to develop understanding.

We invite members of the local police force into school to enrich our curriculum and magistrates visit Year 6 pupils to explain their role and broaden understanding of the court system.