Democracy at Coney Hill Primary School

Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of these rules and they are displayed in each classroom.

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets weekly to discuss issues raised in classes or events (charity) that they would like to lead on. Two of the council members for each year group are voted in by their class.

The children in Year 6 have an opportunity to become the Chair and Vice Chair of our school council. Each year the children who would like to be elected run an election campaign. This involves producing their own manifesto and talking to the children about the reasons why they should be elected and what they would do for the school if they were voted in. We then hold a democratic election, where each child is able to vote for our Chair and Vice Chair of our school council.

The children in Years 5 and 6 also have an opportunity to become House and Vice House captains. Children who would like to be elected also run an election campaign and the other pupils in their House are able to vote for the candidate of their choice.

We also have pupil conferences which sometimes include a Governor and any findings are fed back to staff.

The principle of democracy is explored in the History and RE curriculum as well as in assemblies. Visits to appropriate venues, such as the local council offices, or meetings with local political figures such as the Mayor, have proven to be very enriching experiences.

Pupils are actively involved in the selection processes of new staff where appropriate.

The Rule of Law at Coney Hill Primary School

Coney Hill Primary School has very clear whole school Values that are displayed around school and on our school website. The importance of Law, whether it is in the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced by all staff throughout the school day and during assemblies. Our school has a robust behaviour system and these laws are reinforced when dealing with behaviour. Rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted. 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.

The Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies encourage the restorative justice process to resolve conflict. The school has zero-tolerance for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents/carers.

We are committed to praising children’s efforts. Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but also for behaviour. Rewards are given in the form of commendations, stickers, house points and certificates. Children’s achievements are recognised during weekly Celebration Assemblies.

Individual Liberty at Coney Hill Primary School

We invest a lot of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.

For example, by signing up for extra-curricular clubs, choosing the level of challenge in some lessons and becoming increasingly more involved in child-led learning. A further example is where foundation stage children have the opportunity to choose their extended learning through adult guided child initiated play.

 As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment, a planned curriculum and an empowering education. Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour, for example through e-safety. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, e.g. through e-safety teaching and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect at Coney Hill Primary School

Respect is the core value of our school. This can be seen and felt in our pervading ethos in school. 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 ethos and behaviour policy revolve around our core values ‘HIGH FIVE’. Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown.

Images around the school promote all of our school values including respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs at Coney Hill Primary School

At Coney Hill Primary School we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in PSHE. 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, such as looked after children or young carers.

The school strongly promotes respect for individual differences. 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 our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.

At Coney Hill Primary School we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.