Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the school.  Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.  Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and Class Council meetings. Our active school council have driven and implemented many changes – their most recent project being to develop an anti-bullying charter. The elections of the School Council members, House Captains and Pupil Oscar winners are based on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. In year 4, pupils learn specifically about our British democratic system in their ‘Citizenship’ unit within the PSHE curriculum.

 

The Rule of Law
The importance of laws (whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country) are consistently reinforced.  Our school has our Code of Conduct and Values which are deeply embedded in our work every day.  Each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.  Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

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Individual Liberty
Within 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 our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education.  Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and PSHE lessons.  Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices. In year 5, pupils learn specifically about their rights and responsibilities in their ‘Rights of the Child’ unit within the PSHE curriculum.

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Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs
Respect is one of our core Craneswater Values (along with responsibility, honesty, resilience and self-worth).  The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.   

Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs, as well as those from different families. We are lucky that we are a diverse school community made up of children and staff of a range of cultural and religious backgrounds. This diversity is celebrated through assemblies, performances such as Harvest Festival and through RE and PSHE lessons.  Children are able to talk about the different faiths and cultures they learn about, ask questions and gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. Anti-Bullying week lessons take place in all year groups, which reinforce the importance of respect to everyone no matter what their cultural or religious background, sexuality, disability or any other differences they may have. In year 3, pupils learn specifically about the diversity of British society in their ‘Different People in the UK’ unit within the PSHE curriculum.

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