Our Fundamental British Values Statement

The Department of Education requires primary schools to ‘actively promote’ the fundamental British values of :

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
•  Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

At Rishton Methodist Primary School, these sit within the context of a church school where we are committed to promoting distinctively Methodist Christian values, which we strive to live out and teach day by day.  Our core values of Service, Generosity, Justice, Forgiveness, Friendship and Respect underpin all that we do in school, and in our local and wider communities.

Through our daily acts of Collective Worship, and our broad curriculum, we actively strive to support our pupils to “develop wisdom, have hope, live well in a community and demonstrate dignity” (British Values in Church Schools, Pamela Draycott, 2016). This prepares our pupils for life in modern Britain and enables them to flourish as children of God. We also encourage all of our children to develop a growth mindset; persevering when things get tough and never giving up through our school motto of 'Rise up...take courage and do it' (Ezra 10:4). 

What does this look like at Rishton Methodist School?

Democracy

Democracy is richly embedded with our school. All our children have a voice through pupil questionnaires, school council and pupil interviews. The elections for our council representatives are based on pupil votes. Children take part in speeches and organise their own campaigns.

Our trauma-informed school behaviour policy runs through all aspects of school life and is shared with parents and carers.

Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, school or the country, are reinforced.

All children follow the 'Rishton Way' of always being ready, respectful and safe. This is reinforced regularly throughout the day. Children are taught the value and reason behind the rules and laws, that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, the need for consistency and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authority, e.g. PCSO and fire service, help reinforce this message.

Our class reward chart:

Individual liberty

Children are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.

Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example, through our e-safety lessons and PSHE.

Children are given freedom to make choices, e.g signing up for leadership roles and establishing clubs.

Mutual respect and tolerance

This is a fundamental aspect of our values.  All are welcome at our school and all have a part to play and a contribution to make.

We have our uniform to show that we belong and that we care about who we are and who we represent.  Beyond this, we are all individuals with different strengths, hopes, talents and dreams, and we wholeheartedly celebrate this diversity as a school.

As a school with a Christian Foundation, we are fully aware that some who are part of our school family, practice a different faith, or indeed have no personal faith commitment. All are welcome here, and we learn from each other and respect and celebrate the differences which exist between us. We are all different, but together we make a difference.