Imagine a school where children are:

British Values

At Hatherley Infant School, ‘British Values’ are promoted through Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education. This is an integral part of our wider school curriculum and permeates through each curricular area, supporting the development of the whole child. We recognise that our school staff promote these values consistently, enabling our children to learn from good role models. We value our rich and diverse community and believe that our harmonious atmosphere is one of our greatest strengths as a school. All children are taught from the outset how important it is that we respect one another in all aspects of school and home life and indeed, in the wider world. We provide opportunities for our children to experience democracy and the rule of law in age appropriate ways. Our children are introduced to the concept of individual liberty by providing a safe environment in which they can begin to make choices for themselves and that prepare them for life in modern Britain.

Democracy

Children experience democracy through a range of events in school. Each year the children decide upon their class contract and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the contract. We have a School Council which consists of two members from each KS1 class who are nominated and voted for by their classmates. They meet every few weeks with Miss Davies to discuss a range of issues. These issues include social and moral elements of school life, such creating codes of conduct for playtimes and discussing their ideas for school improvements such as ideas for the new sensory garden. The areas for discussion are then fed back to the rest of the class where they can all share their views and thoughts. We provide opportunities for children to express their own and others views through pupil questionnaires. Staff support children to develop peaceful problem solving strategies.

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

At Hatherley, children are encouraged to explore and share aspects of their own culture and that of others from Reception through to Year 2. The children are taught that people have different faiths and beliefs and that these should be accepted. Children within our school with different faiths are encouraged to share their practices and special celebrations. Parents are invited to share celebrations from a range of faiths with us, including attending Harvest, Christmas, Diwali, Eid and Chinese New Year assemblies. The RE curriculum highlights similarities between the beliefs of different faiths and all pupils have the opportunity to visit a range of places of worship in the local community. Assemblies, RE lessons and visitors throughout the year include learning about, and celebrating, a range of cultural events and festivals.

Rule of Law

Children at Hatherley are actively involved in the implementation of the School Golden rules. They participate in the creation and signing of their Class contract, ensuring they understand the reason for these rules, that they govern and protect us. Children have a secure understanding of our school rules, which are visible in every classroom. Children are rewarded with golden tickets for making good choices and keeping the school rules or class contract. These rules are revisited regularly through PSHE lessons, assemblies and class circle times and there are clear sanctions for broken rules. We ensure that children understand that school and class rules are there to protect us and are essential for our wellbeing and safety. A clearly structured behaviour policy is in place. Staff, parents/carers and children are all encouraged to participate in the signing of our Home School Agreement, which outlines expectations from all involved.

Individual Liberty

At Hatherley, our value system is based on developing self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence. These values are highlighted in weekly assemblies and are rewarded. Children are encouraged to make choices safely within a secure and supportive environment. For example, children may choose to participate in a range of extra-curricular clubs and are able to choose from a range of activities during the lunchtime period. Children are encouraged to volunteer for positions of additional responsibility within school, such as playground buddies, eco group members, register monitors or lunchtime helpers. There is a strong anti-bullying culture throughout the school. Children are taught the basics of understanding the consequences of choices, for example through the PSHE curriculum or aspects of the teaching of E-Safety.

Mutual Respect

Our whole school ethos is built around mutual respect. We are a diverse and inclusive school where everyone is valued and has a contribution to make to the school. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. The importance of working together is explored through the “Relationships” strand of SEAL and the Gloucestershire ‘Pink’ Curriculum. The school behaviour policy and school rules reinforce the importance of respectful behaviour to all. The use of a ‘Buddy’ schemes in Year 2 reinforces this message and allows children to learn from each other. Sports activities endorse an attitude of fairness and equality within school and the local area and promote mutual respect of people in our wider community.