We celebrate the diversity in our school and hold celebration events throughout the year from which we all learn more about the traditions and cultures present in different countries and the various beliefs and faiths around the world.
Whilst we are proud of our diversity and strive to understand each other as individuals, we are also keen to learn about British history and understand how we can prepare ourselves for a life in Modern Britain.
With this in mind, at Whiston Worrygoose 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. These values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard.
School council elections are held at the beginning of each year. Two councillors (one boy and one girl) are elected from each class after a ballot. The council then meets weekly to discuss issues raised by the children in each class. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school. The school has recently begun focus group interviews where children can put forward their views about the school.
THE RULE OF LAW
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices and take responsibility for these choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we have a responsibility to provide boundaries and safety for children through rules and regulations but also give them opportunities to make mistakes and to learn from their experiences.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety lessons.
Whether it be through choice of learning challenges, of how they record a piece of learning, or through participation in our range of extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others and all members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect.
TOLERANCE OF THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Whiston Worrygoose is situated in a culturally diverse area and there is a strong history and philosophy within the school of celebrating cultural diversity.
Our programme of assemblies addresses understanding and acceptance of different faiths and beliefs through stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures and RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. In RE lessons, members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school and classes visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.
At Whiston Worrygoose we have a commitment to actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.