Teaching and Promoting 'British Values' at St Ambrose

At St Ambrose, we 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 through our curriculum.

We have a developmental approach that enables children to develop their understanding of these values throughout their time at our school in order that they become responsible citizens.

Throughout their time at St Ambrose there will be many occasions where children will have the opportunity to vote and for their voices to be heard. We understand that the children's opinions about their school are valid and need to be at the heart of our decision making.

All staff will model this process through asking questions and inviting children's answers and opinions, whether it be in lessons, during assemblies, at lunchtime or on the playground. For example, in child-initiated learning, all children are developing their decision making skills and learning to make informed choices and take responsibility for them.  Older children often take part in debating activities or engage in public speaking on various topics.

Our School Council has members elected from each class and have regular meetings to represent the views of their classmates.

We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations (rules) that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken. They recognise that whilst we have rules at school, other rules and laws exist in the country for the same reasons.

• At the beginning of each academic year each class discuss our three school rules: 'be ready, be respectful and be safe' with their peers and their teachers and what they look like.

• By signing the Home School Agreement all parents/carers, children and teachers show commitment to uphold the school rules.
  
  
• Children are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. We help children to understand the connection between actions and consequences; rights and responsibilities. They are given the opportunity to 'put it right' if they have done something wrong and are supported to do this.

Visits from the fire service, road safety experts, the police and visits to the various community buildings help us to reinforce this message.

Within school, children 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 our children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and engaging teaching. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, whilst recognising that they have various responsibilities to fulfil.

We support each child to become as independent as possible so that they are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ when appropriate.

Some children will be able to take responsibility for particular roles, such as liturgy leaders, classroom monitors, reading buddies or prefects.  Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We believe that in fostering a careful and helpful environment and encouraging independence we can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.

Whether it be through their choice of learning challenge, how to record their work, choosing which of our many extra-curricular activities to participate in or what to eat at lunchtime, our children are given the freedom to make many choices.

Being respectful is one of our school rules. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of our school community treat each other with respect.

Events and circumstances are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a variety of people in different situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools.

We support others our community in a variety of ways for example: singing songs and carols to others; collecting Harvest goods for Local Food Banks, as well as participating in national charitable events and fund raising for local charities (see our 'Living out our Faith' page).

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as ‘Respect’, and children model this by caring, sharing and listening to others. Our staff help children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words can affect others.

We aim to enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs by participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year and have a 'Multi-Faith' week in the Autumn Term dedicated to promoting this. Through our school values, all children are taught to respect everyone regardless of their faith and beliefs.

In the curriculum through Religious Education, PSHE, English, Art, geography and history, as well as our Assembly themes, children consider cultures from other parts of the world, different faiths and beliefs. We invite visitors from our community to share their knowledge and to enhance learning both within classes and for the whole school or we visit local places of worship.

To celebrate being British we:

• Learn about our local Patron House Saints: Saint Chad, Saint Nicholas Owen, Saint Richard and Saint Wulstan. 
• Support national events such as the Olympics and the World Cup
• Study key historical figures and events in British history through our Creative Curriculum topics
• Learn key geographical facts about Britain
• Study our native wildlife both within our grounds and beyond
• Dance and listen to music from the different regions of Britain
• Strive to have a good sense of humour in the face of adversity!