East Oxford Primary School

Values 

Promoting Values

The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

The Government set out its definition of values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated this year (2014).  At East Oxford Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school. Two council members are voted in from their peers in their classes and have big responsibilities within the school.

The children also meet with the school Governors to discuss changes in the school and things they would like to happen.

Children conduct numerous questionnaires throughout the year to get the views and opinion of other students within East Oxford Primary School – each child has a voice that is heard.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. We have visits from Firemen and the Police to help reinforce this message to our pupils.

Individual Liberty

Within 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 choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and 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 E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

East Oxford Primary School is set in an area that is greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. The children have regular RE lessons which celebrate all religions and faiths. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children of East Oxford Primary School have the opportunity to visits the Mosque, Church of England and the Synagogue