British Values Statement 

At Moorcroft Wood School we value the diversity of backgrounds of all our pupils, families and the wider school community.  

The Department for Education states that there is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Our school reflects British values in all that we do.  We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.  Wherever possible, we take a global approach to learning by introducing themes from the perspective of other people in other countries.

At Moorcroft Wood, we actively promote British values in the following ways:

Democracy 

• House Captains/School Council/Values assemblies- All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils.  Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil voice.
• The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum as well as during assemblies and special days

RULE OF LAW

• Our school values underpin our expected behaviours in school and are integral to our learning and ethos
• Schools expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted.
• Using restorative practices principles pupils are helped to understand the impact of their actions,  be a positive action or a negative. This is reinforced through out star award assemblies.
• Pupils are regularly reminded about their ‘Rights and Responsibilities’ and about how these are linked.
• Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and Moorcroft Wood enjoys visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Paramedic, etc. to help reinforce this message

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

• Within school, pupils are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
• Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and our pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
• Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety teaching and PSHE lessons.
• Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes challenged.  A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed.  The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
• Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school e.g. Year 6 job squad,  playground leaders, school council representatives in each class, eco reps in each class.

MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE OF THOSE WITH DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS

• Respect is one of the core values of our school.  Pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children. At Moorcroft Wood we celebrate diversity week to reinforce understanding an mutual respect.
• Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
• Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
• Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
• We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected and global dimension work embedded in many of our humanities topics and discrete language lessons (Spanish).  These curriculum topics offer children the chance to reflect on our core values and British values.