At Newdigate Primary and Nursery School we aim to provide a safe, secure and healthy environment where all children are encouraged to be independent learners and thinkers. Through our school vision, rules, curriculum and teaching we promote tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles. We have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe.

Democracy

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

Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through the School Council. The elections of the school Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action

Each year the children decide upon their class rules and how they expect to be treated by other people. All the children contribute to the drawing up of their charter for their class.

We have a school council that 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. Children have an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school.

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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

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 Online Safety, PSHE and RSE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenges, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Children are also given the opportunity to make behaviour choices each day.

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

We value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and curriculum provision to celebrate these. Underpinning this is a range of curriculum topics which have strong links to the British Empire.

Assemblies are regularly planned to include stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. On a general level, the school undertakes class discussions that uphold traditional values of empathy, respect and tolerance. These are also taught within formal RE lessons, PHSE and on an informal nature throughout the school days.

At Newdigate Primary and Nursery School we actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views