Our vision and ethos complement fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

In June 2014, David Cameron emphasised the important role that British values can play in education. Further, how well a school promotes such values is an aspect of Ofsted’s inspection process.

British values are promoted in so much of what we do, not least during our school assemblies, Religious Education and Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) sessions. 

As well as actively promoting British values, the opposite also applies: we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.

As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at Longford CofE Primary School. Alongside this, we value and celebrate being part of Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions, such as customs in the course of the year; for example, Harvest festival during the Autumn term as well as national events such as Remembrance Day.

Democracy

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Longford CofE Primary School. Democracy is central to how we operate.

An obvious example is our School Council. 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 representatives from each year group, the School Council meets regularly to discuss any issues raised by pupils as well as working with Mrs Knipe on whole school projects. 

Other examples of ‘pupil voice’ are:

• children agree their Class Charter and the rights associated with these; all children contribute to the drawing up of the charter
• children have the opportunity to nominate and vote for others to receive a certificate for great learning or choices
• using Pupil Feedback forms, children are asked to respond and reflect on the teaching and learning

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 hightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

Rules and laws

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 collective worship and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses and sets its own Class Charter, a set of principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

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 and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely; for example:

• choices about what learning challenge or activity
• choices about how they record their learning
• choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

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 e-safety and SEAL lessons.

Tolerance

Longford CofE Primary School is proud to promote and celebrate different backgrounds and beliefs. Mutual respect is at the heart of our ethos and behaviour policy.

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have, and to everything, whether it is a school resource, a religious belief or whatever. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community should treat each other with respect.

We strive to enhance pupils understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs through:

• Religious Education, SEAL and other lessons where we might develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures
• learning about the differences in countries and cultures around the word 

Sadly, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to this value.