british values

Children are involved in democratic processes and are encouraged to take opportunities which may lead to roles with some responsibilities.

• Children in Year 6 hold a ‘hustings’ for team leadership roles in the first week of September. The rest of the school then vote by way of a secret ballot to choose House Captains and Vice Captains. House Captaincy is a high profile position that requires role-model behaviour and demonstrates respect.
• Pupils in each year group who wish to act on the School Council annually make speeches within their class then voting by secret ballot. Two children per class are voted in. They attend termly meetings with senior staff. Their views are often used to make improvements to their learning or environment, e.g. choosing playground equipment and having a vital role in choosing the names of the new houses.
• Children in Year 5 and Year 6 are invited to put themselves forward to be Play Buddies. They are actively supported to reflect and then communicate why they wish to volunteer. Play Buddies work to a daily rota and help to make break times run more smoothly.
• Pupils from Year 5 and Year 6 are invited to become digital leaders. They attend meetings with the Online Safety Team, giving feedback on pupil issues and are proactive in educating the school about online safely.
• Informative assemblies take place leading up to an in-school election to ensure the children understand the democratic process and what it leads to. This is also a focus in school during a general election, involving the children in the relevant issues and parties that are campaigning across their country. The importance of choice is prevalent in all that is done and responsibility and pupil’s voice are used as tools to empower the children within their school environment.

Democracy, parents and the wider community:

Our school operates an ‘open door’ policy. Parental views and feedback are regularly encouraged.

Pupils understand the importance of rules within the school and how they are decided to ensure a safe and equal working environment.

• The school rules are reinforced in the classroom. All behaviour is linked back to the three school rules Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be safe.
• The RAISE points system reinforces the school values and recognises those children who go over and beyond what is expected. The consequences of poor behaviour choices are understood by children and consistently applied across the school.
• Children are taught how to access the internet safely. They have a pupil voice in the form of digital leaders.
• The Play Buddy rota and the Adventure Playground rota are on display in a prominent position known to children and staff.
• At the end of the break, the children are taught to listen out for the 2-bells system which aids their return to the classroom and prepares them for learning
• Year 6 take part in a Bikeability week of training when they learn the rules of cycling safely on the roads.
• Year 5 and Year 6 take on positions of responsibility and leadership when they organise and support the KS1 Sports Day.
• In sport, the children understand that there must be rules within games to keep things equal and fair and to keep the playing environment a safe one.

Rule of Law and the wider community:

• Year 6 host and lead the annual MultiSports meeting with a local school within our cluster. They learn that keeping to tight rules is essential for the safe running of such an event.
• The school maintain good contact with authorities such as the Police and the local Fire Service. Visits from both take place each year.

At Jolesfield, the importance of choice and what it can achieve is discussed with the children. They are actively encouraged to make their choices knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.

• Our Vision Statement explains that “through our teaching, we equip children with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make informed choices about the important things in their lives.”
• We promote the choice of activities, resources and equipment within their classroom learning and on the playground.
• At break times the Play Buddies promote positive play and offer the choice of equipment and games.
• All classes have their own monitor duties, Year 6, however, have key roles of responsibility that benefit the school community as a whole. These include school gate monitors, assembly and hall monitors, lunchtime helpers, Reception Class Buddies, recycling collectors and sport shed monitors.
• The children have the opportunity to attend a wide range of extra-curricular clubs. Alongside the daily sports clubs, there have been choices of clubs for singers, art and craft lovers and budding linguists.

We accept that Jolesfield is not situated in a culturally diverse area, so we stress the importance and value of diversity in preparing our children for rich and valuable lives in modern Britain. We celebrate Britain’s multi-cultural and multi-faith character and encourage our children to keep open minds and show respect and tolerance towards others. In particular:

• The Behaviour Policy is designed to give children the confidence to make those choices that allow our school community to live and work together in a mutually beneficial way. It aims to promote an environment where everyone feels happy, safe and secure.
• Our School Values – R A I S E (Respect, Aim high, Independence, Skills for life-long learning and Environment and community)- are intrinsic in that we all act in a fair and equal manner.
• The achievement, attitude and well-being of every child matters, and inclusion is the responsibility of every person within the school community – Inclusion Statement/ Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy. We work closely with our local secondary school whose students visit and share their views on equality, and diversity; accepting gender, cultural and religious differences as well as disability in the educational setting.
• Pupil Premium is used to ensure academic and emotional support for children and to enhance provision and resources in other non-academic areas when necessary.
• Weekly assemblies take place to celebrate and promote the R A I S E values, awarding pupils with certificates for developing and supporting the school Values. There is respect for all awards and achievements received both in and out of curriculum/school time.
• The children are encouraged to work in many different groups or in different pairings so they naturally accept ‘working with others’.
• The children become used to and accepting of open days and performances when the outside community is actively invited into the school.
• In sports activities, the children act in a positive and encouraging manner showing mutual respect for all in a sportsmanlike environment. During external competitions, they show pride in their school as well as respect for their opponents.
• RE sessions are planned to promote and teach a range of different religions and cultures.
• Discussion in assemblies and class about religious celebration throughout the year.
• Honouring the fallen on Remembrance Day – recreating their fears and beliefs through the children’s poetry and sharing their work at the village memorial service.
• Assembly themes – linked to PSHE.
• Visits from religious leaders from different faiths.