The DfE have reinforced the need to “create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to 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.”

Each year the children decide upon their class charter and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.

We have a school council which meets at least every month with a dedicated teacher and sometimes with a governor, to discuss issues raised by their classes or within school. The council has a budget and is genuinelyable to effect change within school. Every child on the school council is voted in by their class.

Children have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about school.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Oulton Primary.

Pupils are taught from their first day the rules of the school. These are our class rules, playground rules and safety rules. Children are taught the value and reason behind rules and 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, particularly our own community officers, and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

At Oulton, 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety or SEAL lessons, and through our use of restorative practice.

Oulton is an increasingly diverse school and mutual respect is at the heart of our values. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures, either in class or through our Monday assemblies. Religious Education and SEAL/PSHE lessons or Circle Times reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. All members of the school community treat each other with respect; for example, it is part of our staff code of conduct as well as at the heart of how we behave with and towards all our pupils.