Teaching British Values

In addition to our Christian values of kindness, wisdom, respect, joy and perseverance, we also promote our British Values in a number of ways.  One is through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education which permeates through the schools’ curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’, developing their self esteem and preparing them for a future in our multi-faith, multi-cultural world.

Democracy

We use our enthusisatic pupil voice to improve our understanding.  We regularly seek pupil input on a variety of matters from homework to school lunches and we elect our School Council from two members of each class from Year 2 upwards.  You can find out more School Council information and their role in school here.

Every week, our Head of School meets with children at her Head's tea as a chance for her to ask about their learning and school experience.

Year 6 House Captains are also elected at the start of the academic year and they have the opportunity to lead our houses - Jade, Sapphire, Amber, Opal and Ruby - in a number of inter house tournaments and competitions.

Rule of law

The concept of law is introduced through the development of rules which govern the school.  Our Behaviour policy is widely shared with staff, parents and children and is based firmly on the Restorative Justice approach.

Children are regularly reminded of our behaviour expectations and we regularly seek opportunities to praise positive choices. All adults in school are expected to act as  role models at all times and our Restorative Justice approach allows time for children to talk through poor behaviour choices and discuss strategies they may use to resolve conflict. 

Our PSHE curriculum helps our children to develop an understanding of law appropriate to their age and they grow to uderstand that laws keep us safe.  High quality texts allow our older children to explore the ‘breaking’ of laws and an opportunity to discuss consequences when this occurs. 

Indivdual liberty

Every child at St James Primary is aware that they have the right to feel safe. They are also taught about freedom of speech and how to propose and oppose a motion in polite but direct way.

We value our children for their differences and there is a wide variety of after school clubs to enable children to try new things, develop new skills and practice existing ones. 

We are a small school and time and care is taken to know each child as an individual.  In addition to school mentors and buddies, our weekly PSHE lessons give our children a chance to share their feelings and opinions in a safe way.

Respect and tolerance

At the start of every academic year, each class writes and agrees its own set of class rules. These in turn help to remind everyone of respectful behaviour.  

Along with many other schools, we hold an Anti-Bullying week every year and use this to talk specifically about the value of difference and respecting others.  

Through our Restorative Justice Behaviour policy, children learn to take responsibility, with support when needed, to resolve conflict and repair relationships. Our Friendship bench in the playground gives an opportunity for any child to make new friends.

In partnership with Haringey, all our children have the chance to participate in sports events have an opportunity to apply their sportsmanship skills with other schools.