British Values
Promoting British Values
The DfE expect all schools “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation … 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.” At Mersey Park these values are reinforced regularly.
Democracy
Each year at Mersey Park the children decide upon their class anti-bullying contract with all the children contributing to the contents. Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a number of pupils groups made up of elected members from each class e.g. Pupil Community Group, My Happy Mind and Body Ambassadors, Eco-Committee, Digital Safety Committee, Pupil Ofsted. They have their own budgets and are able to genuinely effect change within the school. School works with the Parliament UK Education Service each year and participates in the Our Generation. Our Vote project. If you’d like to learn more about democracy and what it means have a look at this video: http://www.parliament.uk/
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as through school assemblies. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service and Merseyrail help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, 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 pupils to make choices safely, through an environment where pupils are allowed to consider and follow their choices and an empowering curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Digital Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. We place a great emphasis on promoting the value of diversity with our children through the delivery of the No Outsiders and Think Equal programmes and our role as a School of Sanctuary. Assemblies are regularly planned to address diversity either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
We provide the children of MPPS lots of opportunities and enrichment activities to incorporate the British Values into the curriculum. If you would like to find out more about this please click on this link.
Rights Respecting Schools
Our school has achieved the Unicef UK Bronze award for our rights-respecting work.
What is a Rights Respecting School?
“A Rights Respecting School is a place where we can all feel confident with ourselves and it encourages us to use our voice. It has helped me build my confidence. It has helped me raise awareness of injustice in the world” – pupil
There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. The difference that a Rights Respecting school makes goes beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community.
Children are healthier and happier
By promoting the values of respect, dignity and non-discrimination, children’s self-esteem and well-being is boosted and they are less likely to suffer from stress. A child who understands their rights understands how they and others should be treated and their sense of self-worth is strengthened.
Children feel safe
The programme gives children a powerful language to use to express themselves and to challenge the way they are treated. They are also able to challenge injustices for other children. Children and young people are empowered to access information that enables them to make informed decisions about their learning, health and wellbeing.
Children have better relationships
Both with their teachers and their peers, based on mutual respect and the value of everyone’s opinion. In a Rights Respecting school children are treated as equals by their fellow pupils and by the adults in the school. Children and young people are involved in how the Award is implement in the school but are also involved in strategic decision-making; in decisions about their learning; and in views about their well-being.
Children become active and involved in school life and the wider world
This builds their confidence to make informed decisions. They have a moral framework, based on equality and respect for all that lasts a lifetime, as they grow into engaged, responsible members of society. Children and adults develop an ethos and language of rights and respect around the school. Rights and principles of the Convention are used to put moral situations into perspective and consider rights-respecting solutions – this all has a huge impact on relationships and well-being. Children and young people get very involved in raising awareness about social justice issues, both at home and abroad. They become ambassadors for rights and take part in campaigns and activities to help to bring about change.
To find out more about this award click here.
School of Sanctuary
At Mersey Park we are very proud to be a School of Sanctuary and welcome everyone to our school as equal members of the community.
What is a School of Sanctuary?
A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. This could be people whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space of safety.
A School of Sanctuary is a school that helps its students, staff and wider community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and to extend a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of the school community. It is a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all.
There are three simple principles to being a School of Sanctuary:
1. Learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary.
2. Take positive action to embed concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within your school and the wider community.
3. Share your vision and achievements – be proud!
