Democracy – Links to Communication and Teamwork ARA Values

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Acre Rigg Academy. Democracy is central to how we operate.

In order to teach pupils about real-life democracy, one example is we appoint head students each year. Year 5 pupils are invited to apply to run for the position in readiness for year 6. If successful, they are able to create a campaign in school and give a speech to their fellow school mates in order to appeal for votes. Pupils who would like to vote are given the opportunity to register and are then provided with a voting slip which they are allowed to use on election day. All votes are private and our vice chair of governors assists in the counting of votes. Successful students form our school’s Student Leader Team who head up the school council.

Furthermore, the election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. It consists of one representative from each class. The School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes.

Another example of ‘pupil voice’ is:

• children are asked to respond and reflect on the curriculum they receive as well as make suggestions for the School Council to consider.

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. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

Pupils are also involved in the recruitment process for new staff, asking questions of candidates and expressing their views to the Senior Leadership Team.

Parents’ opinions are welcomed at Acre Rigg through methods such as questionnaires, parents’ evenings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters e.g. After school provision.

The Rule of Law - Links to Self-Awareness ARA Value

• Behaviour Policy - the involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind rules and the consequences if rules are broken.
• Discussion of behaviour and school rules.
• Lunchtime rules
• Playground buddies
• Curriculum links e.g. Crime and Punishment

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines. These rules play a fundamental role in our behaviour sanctions and rewards and are linked to the GTBG treat at the end of each half term.

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. These values are reinforced in different ways:

• Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
• During Religious Education when rules for particular faiths are learned.

Through class assemblies, PSHE lessons and Philosophy for Children we allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection.

Individual Liberty - Links to Excellence and Passion ARA Values

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example:

•choices about how they can improve their learning

•choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE lessons. We use the KAPOW scheme of work, as well as Lyfta, across the whole school which also links to assemblies.

Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:

• Be effective and successful learners
• Make and sustain friendships
• Deal with and resolve conflict evenly and fairly
• Solve problems with others by themselves
• Manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger or anxiety
• Be able to promote calm and optimistic states that promote the achievement of goals
• Recover from setbacks and persist in the face of difficulties
• Work and play cooperatively
• Compete fairly and win or lose with dignity and respect for all competitors
• Recognise and stand up for their rights and the rights of others
• Understand the value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own.
• To respect and value our world, and the things, both material and alive that exist within it.

Mutual Respect - Links to Empathy ARA Value

We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind. Commando Joe’s is followed weekly throughout the school with its core values of RESPECT embedded into every part of our school life.

We listen and respect each other. We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly Star of The Week Assemblies.

Our extensive range of trust wide residential trips encourages pupils to get along whilst living together and develops their ability to respect others not only within our own school but within the wider trust schools and beyond.

Tolerance - Links to Empathy and Resilience ARA Values

Acre Rigg Academy are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and R.E curriculum.

Our central aim to 'Prepare children for the future' drives us towards ensuring that our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures.

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.

Specific examples of how we at Acre Rigg enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:

•Through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures – in English through fiction and in art and music by considering cultures from other parts of the world.

•Celebrating cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks, noticeboards and displays.

As a school, we are engaged in the Educate and Celebrate programme which allows children to become knowledgeable about our diverse society and develop respect for the choices that people make. We celebrate difference and staff will challenge any stereotypical comments with regards to gender, race or sexual orientation. At Acre Rigg Academy, we consider ourselves to be a place of sanctuary and safety for all.

Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.

We use the global platform LYFTA to help children to experience the world and its diverse cultures and beliefs through our assemblies, PSHE lessons and other parts of the curriculum.

Promotion of Britishness

We commemorate key historical dates such as Armistice and Guy Fawkes and celebrate British festivals and specials days such as St. George’s day, harvest festival, Shrove Tuesday, Easter and Christmas. We also show great support for our country during significant sporting events.

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