British Values

Democracy

Here at Elmhurst Junior School pupil voice is an integral part of our community. Our children hold elections for their chosen class representatives who sit on the school council for the academic year. These representatives attend regular meetings and share the ideas and thoughts of the pupil population, ensuring that they are drivers of change.

Our Curriculum Crusaders have been chosen as representatives of the Love of Learning curriculum and to feedback on the learning experiences of pupils in our care. They reflect on how lessons are taught; how engaging learning is; the knowledge they are learning and where they feel we have strengths and development areas.

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared
to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”

Franklin D Roosevelt

Rule of Law

Pupils at Elmhurst play, learn and uphold our school values of Kindness, Respect, Trust and Forgiveness – values chosen by them. These values underpin our expectations for all in our community and underpin our behaviour policy.

We encourage children to recognise rights and how these go hand in hand with responsibility.

“True freedom requires the rule of law and justice and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of rights to others.”

Rabbi John Sachs

Individual Liberty

Celebrating the individual is a cornerstone of our school community. Through lessons, play and creative expression we encourage our pupils to explore who they are and their uniqueness in all that they do. By respecting themselves and each other as individuals we foster high expectations, resilience and ambition for pupils, families and staff.

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

Nelson Mandela

Mutual Respect

Respect is a core value of our school and underpins our ethos. Respect is shown by all adults and children towards each other and towards our community. Our Love of Learning curriculum supports this and helps children to articulate what respect means in practice. Children can talk about their own faith and beliefs as well as the faiths and beliefs of others. We open our minds to others and learn from the experiences, backgrounds and beliefs; widening our horizons and enhancing our lives.

“‘But let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly of wisdom and we must always be ready to listen and respect other points of view.’

Queen Elizabeth II

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Religious Education, PSHE and Citizenship, (in particular) deepen the children’s understanding of faith and belief. Our pupils learn about a wide range of celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Diwali, Eid, Christmas and Guru Nanak’s birthday as well as many others.
We have an emphasis on British culture and celebrate specific events such as St George’s day, the Platinum Jubilee as well as understanding more specific and local beliefs such as the celebration of the summer solstice.
Our link with the local church allows our community to attend key celebrations and explore the Christian faith in a place of worship and with a spiritual leader.

“I have always thought of Britain as a ‘community of communities’. That has led me to understand that the sovereign has an additional duty – less formally recognised but to be no less diligently discharged.

It is the duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals. This diversity is not just enshrined in the laws of our country, it is enjoined by my own faith.”

King Charles III