Promoting British Values
Skidby CE Primary School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Skidby CE Primary School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
Pupil voice is an integrated aspect of school life at Skidby. Our pupil elected School Council play a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making Skidby a better place to learn. Pupils have input in their learning and what they would like to learn, which promotes our Pupil Voice.
For example, the pupils decide what our charitable endeavours shall be; what competitions we will devise and enter; and to whom we will write and invite to our social occasions and performances. Pupil interviews are also conducted regularly. We know that the formation of the School Council and the active participation of our pupils will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.
Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our pupils to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to. This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum.
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. We debate and discuss the reasons for laws so children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, war veterans, the ambulance service and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the Rule of Law for our pupils.
All at Skidby work to create a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. In lessons, learning tasks are challenging and require cooperation and scholastic endeavour. We encourage children to compete in the belief they have every chance of success. Here they understand they may have to take appropriate risk and may have to congratulate and be proud of a more successful peer on some occasions. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests.
Through our E-Safety, philosophy and PSHE sessions, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. At Skidby we believe that valuing choice, freedom, appropriate risk taking, a desire to win and appreciating our fellow competitors in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.
Our pupils learn together with respect for each other. We value and celebrate our peers, as evidenced throughout the school. Every pupil knows that we respect and appreciate each other no matter what differences may exist. Mutual respect is a core value of the school. Without our community working together, achieving together and encouraging one another, Our Vision and Values could not be fulfilled.
We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which many major religions are studied and respected. Parents and leaders of different faiths are welcomed to the school to share their beliefs. We believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding.
Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to become knowledgeable, understanding and successful citizens who can build a better Skidby, Cottingham, Yorkshire, and Britain for the future.
Skidby CE Primary seeks to embed these core values within the curriculum, delivered alongside the Christian ethos of our unique church school.
The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is good.
Staff communicate with parents well. Parents are appreciative of the information they receive about how well their children are doing and what they are learning.
Collective worship is a central part of daily life, it is invitational and inclusive.
The breakfast club provides a healthy meal each morning for any pupil who wishes to attend.
Pupils are proud of their achievements and embrace learning with enthusiasm.
In phonics lessons, teachers take opportunities to explain that sounds can be made with different groups of letters. This helps pupils to read simple words.
The behaviour of pupils is good. Around the school, in the dining hall and on the playground, pupils are well behaved and courteous to each other and adults.
Leaders and staff are passionate in their drive to ensure every child at Skidby flourishes.
Resilience is built through diverse opportunities and managed risks.
In English, texts are carefully chosen to encourage reflection and understanding difference and diversity.
Respect, responsibility, and resilience weave through school life.
Pupils thrive in an inclusive and nurturing environment.
A Christian school in a small community, making a big difference.
Driven by their distinctly Christian vision, this school has been on a rapid journey of improvement as a Church school over recent years.
Teaching, learning and assessment are good across the school.
Teachers choose interesting texts to capture pupils’ imagination and support their learning.
Pupils rise to meet the ambitions of a broad and balanced curriculum.
From an early age there is a strong focus on developing curiosity, by asking questions and reflecting on responses.
Leaders ensure that all curriculum decisions have their vision and associated values of respect, resilience and responsibility at the forefront.
Parents are confident that their children are kept safe and are cared for well.
The teaching of writing is good. Teachers ensure that pupils learn to write in different styles and for different audiences.
Across year groups, pupils who are currently in the school are making good progress in reading, writing and mathematics.
Purposeful and varied outdoor learning provides the opportunity for pupils to engage in the awe and wonder of the natural world.
Inspired by the Christian vision, collective worship is highly valued and central to the daily lives of pupils. It encourages pupils to reflect on, and live out the school’s Christian values in their own lives.
Teaching assistants have a good understanding of their roles and provide effective support to the pupils they are working with.
Character development is at the heart of every learning experience.
Pupils behave well and have positive attitudes to learning. They respect and listen to one another and work well together.
Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe in a variety of situations, such as when using the internet.
Throughout the school, pupils are polite, friendly and welcoming. They show respect, both to adults and to each other.
High quality displays in all subjects, including RE, are a priority and enable pupils to see the progress they are making.
Pupils’ development as advocates for social justice is particularly strong and goes beyond regular fundraising.
Pupils challenge injustice and engage in meaningful social action projects beyond fundraising. This has a very positive impact on both their own lives and those of others.
Safeguarding is effective and children’s welfare requirements are met. Staff are well trained and vigilant in ensuring that all children are safe.
Governors are very well informed and know their school well. They provide the right level of support and challenge.
Pupils attend school regularly. They are very happy in school and feel safe.
Aspirations are high and all, including the most able, are challenged. Pupils take pride in their work and delight in seeing their efforts displayed around school.
When working together, pupils show good levels of cooperation and help one another willingly. In lessons, they respond well to tasks they have been given and enjoy the work they do.
The school’s distinctive Christian vision has brought clear focus and direction to ensure rapid progress as a Church school.
The school’s family ethos creates a calm and welcoming atmosphere.
Pupils understand the conventions of different genres and demonstrate this in their own compositions.
Strong relationships with families and the community enrich school life.
Staff feel exceptionally supported and valued in their roles.
Younger pupils use punctuation and capital letters accurately, forming sentences with increasing complexity.
Religious education (RE) is well led and taught across school. Pupils have an informed understanding of a range of faiths.
Teachers successfully plan learning activities that meet the needs and interests of the range of ages and abilities in their classes.
Leaders are dedicated to make a difference to every pupil and staff member.
Challenged by their learning, pupils are keen to seek justice and fairness for those in society. They talk about ‘how they find a problem and try to sort it out’.
A culture of reading inspires a lifelong love for books.
Pupils make good progress in mathematics. In most classes, teachers plan meaningful and wide-ranging opportunities to solve problems, investigate mathematical ideas and develop mathematical reasoning.
Parents are positive about the school’s work and the education their children receive.
Pupils enjoy lessons because teaching is challenging them to learn more and achieve better.
The school offers a range of opportunities for pupils to participate in a number of afterschool sports clubs and competitive events.
The curriculum effectively provides time for reflection and spiritual growth.
Pupils describe their own spirituality as ‘being themselves, thinking beyond themselves, caring for others, the wider world and beyond’.