Four Oaks Primary School

This statement outlines the key British values we actively promote at the school.

Four Oaks Primary School is committed to serving its community and surrounding areas. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith nature of the United Kingdom and understand the crucial role our school plays in promoting these values. We have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe.

We encourage admissions from all those entitled to education under British law regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status. We are an inclusive school.

At Four Oaks we uphold and teach pupils about British values which are defined as:

• Democracy
• Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

These values are taught explicitly through PSHE and RE. We also teach British values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. During our collective acts of worship and whole school assemblies we reinforce and celebrate British values.

Democracy

Democracy is valued at our school. Pupils have an opportunity to have their voices heard through our elected Pupil Leadership groups which include School Council, Sports Leaders, Digital Leaders, Science Ambassadors, Arts Ambassadors and Reading Ambassadors.  These elections are based on pupil votes. This supports an understanding of how citizens can make a positive contribution to their community and how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process. The School Council represent their classes and also influence how the school is run such as choosing lunchtime play equipment and choosing the names of the shelters in the school playground. The Sports Council also gather the views of their peers and have presented ideas for Sports Days. Classes have the opportunity to vote on their choice of rewards for good behaviour and excellent attendance.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws and rules, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the day. Each class discusses and agrees a class contract. We promote, reward and celebrate positive behaviour for individuals, groups of children and classes. The behaviour code and traffic light system clearly inform the children of their positive choices and that actions have consequences.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are encouraged to work independently and, 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 instance, in PSHE and Computing lessons they learn how to keep themselves safe within a supportive environment. Pupils have a wide range of extra-curricular activities to choose from. Our lunchtime menu is published and includes hot and cold options and children make healthy choices.

Mutual Respect

We encourage good manners as the basis of good behaviour. Pupils and all staff are polite to each other. Children learn that their behaviour can affect the feelings of others and we believe in the motto “Treat others as you would like to be treated”.  Children have opportunities to see their work displayed and to explain their learning. Art and Dance from different cultures widens our children’s experiences. The school also has good relationships with sports coaches in the local community such as LFC. Good sporting attitudes are modelled and expected from everyone who is a part of our school and who visits our school. There is plenty of opportunity to work alongside visitors and local community groups in the school such as in Bluecoat 'Out of the Blue' Art Club, Football Clubs and Christ Church.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils' understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity in our local community. We teach these values through our PSHE program and in RE. Respect and tolerance are important to us.

Our Bluecoat Art Club is attended by young adults with Learning Disabilities and Four Oaks pupils. Pupil Voice has been extended to include the Pupil Leadership Team. In History and Geography pupils have gained knowledge and understanding of Liverpool and the similarities and difference between communities in other parts of the World. We celebrate the Chinese influence on Liverpool as well as teaching the European language, Spanish.

Together, these interconnected values seamlessly shape our unique school culture, guiding our children to become confident, compassionate and highly capable individuals. Through The Four Oaks Way, we empower them to not only succeed in their own lives but also to contribute positively and meaningfully to society.