British Values
Our exciting curriculum at Widney actively promotes fundamental British values.
These are:
Democracy
Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Widney Junior School. Democracy is central to how we operate.
Our School Council enable our children to have a clear voice within the school. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of one representative from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. The School Council made suggestions about ways to improve the school and make key decisions such as who the school will support during charity week and items to buy for the school using PTA funds. Each year, one meeting is held in the Solihull Council Chambers and the children have the opportunity to meet the Mayor.
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. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.
We value the very good relationships that we have with our parents and welcome suggestion and opinions. Methods such as questionnaires, surveys at parents’ evenings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters are used and Senior Leaders are always available on the playground at the start and end of the school day.
The rule of law
The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines and teachers ensure that these ae clearly understood by all. Each class agrees a rule and this rule is added to the school rules. These rules are displayed in each class.
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. These values are reinforced in different ways. Some examples include:
- Through the curriculum, particularly in PSHE
- Assemblies
- Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
- Cycling Proficiency lessons enable children to understand the rules of the road and the potential dangers encountered should they break those rules.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely.
Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE JIGSAW lessons. We use the JIGSAW resource across the whole school which also links to assemblies.
Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. We teach the children how to manage and understand emotions by using Zones of Regulation.
We support our pupils to understand the value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own.
We teach our children to respect and value our world, and the things, both material and alive that exist within it.
Children are given key roles and responsibilities such as Play leaders, Peer Listeners and Play heroes. There are opportunities for children to be on various school councils including the School Council, Eco-Council and Sports Council.
Through a range of opportunities such as our extra-curricular clubs, lunch time sport, and Residential Trips, pupils are given the freedom to make safe choices.
Mutual respect
We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children, parents and staff are polite and kind to one other. Our school thrives on the respect that we have for each other.
We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally. We celebrate lunch time behaviour with lunchtime awards for children that demonstrate good manners and who are polite. We take care of our school environment and many children regularly litter pick to support this. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly class awards and through are our half termly Celebration assemblies.
Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best, show a growth mindset and respect others.
Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs
Widney Junior School is proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect for each other are at the heart of our curriculum.
Our mission statement is ‘inspiring a community’ and the sense of community is very important to our school. Our Widney community encompasses our children and families from all backgrounds, religions and cultures and we are proud to have a diverse population