Thorns Primary School

The DfE have reinforced the need "to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British 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 British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated this year (2014).

Thorns Primary School has a strong school ethos where everyone is respected and valued. In 2015 one parent said about our school- "A lovely small school with high expectations of achievement and behaviour."

"Thorns Primary School is a very close knit family, everybody knows everybody and that makes a special school."

Our school has a highly positive climate with a strong family atmosphere. Pupils' attitudes to learning are good and they show a good level of engagement. Pupils' social, moral and spiritual development is strong. "Pupils enjoy coming to school. They are friendly, polite, courteous, and helpful. Relationships are strong and support good behaviour in lessons and around the school." - Ofsted report March 2013- this continues to be the case.

Our school has a strong inclusive ethos where all pupils are valued and supported, "Behaviour in lessons and around the school is good and sometimes exemplary." - Ofsted report March 2013.

"The behaviour and safety of pupils are good" - Ofsted report March 2013-this remains the case.

At Thorns Primary these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Through our curriculum children are taught about, and encouraged to respect, public institutions and services.

Many of our roles around school including Head Boy and Head Girl are determined through pupil voting.

Children have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.

All parents and carers are encouraged to make comments through our annual parent questionnaire and open door policy and questionnaires.

In our 2015 pupil voice, one Year 4 pupil said "Our staff and children listen to each other's opinions."

"Every child must be free to say what they think and to seek and receive information of any kind as long as it is within the law" (Article 13 from 'The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child')

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Thorns Primary School.

Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school which have been written by our pupils. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and 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.

In our 2015 Pupil Voice, 96% of pupils said behaviour in lessons was good and in our parent questionnaire 98% of parents said that the school makes sure pupils behave well in school.

"A child accused or guilty of breaking the law must be treated with dignity and respect. They have the right to help form a lawyer and a fair trial that takes account of their age or situation. The child's privacy must be respected at all times." (Article 40 from 'The UN Convention on the rights of the Child')

At Thorns Primary 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an 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 Religious Education curriculum.

We have a robust anti bullying culture in school and both our pupil and parent questionnaires tell us we manage this well.

In our 2015 Pupil Voice, 98% of pupils said the school deals with all types of bullying very well and in our Parent Questionnaire 100% of parents said their child is well looked after.

"Every child has the right to say what they think in all matters affecting them, and to have their views taken seriously" (Article 12 from 'The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child')

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. Differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations are discussed through our curriculum.

We provide opportunities for the children to visit places of significant cultural interest, places of worship and we actively encourage visitors from a range of communities and organisations into school and pupils are keen to talk about their own cultures.

"Every child has the right to think and believe what they want and also practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Governments must respect the rights of parents to give their children guidance about this right." (Article 14 from 'The UN Convention on the rights of the Child')

In our parent questionnaire of 2015, one parent said "I feel the school is a very good school and has a good mix of people in terms of pupils in school."

In 2015, a Year 6 pupil said - "No one is left out, it's a great school."

"Teaching over time promotes good progress and outcomes for pupils, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development." - Ofsted report March 2013- this continues to be the case.

At Thorns Primary School we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including 'extremist' views.