At St Patricks’ , we foster an understanding of democracy by encouraging our children to participate in decision-making processes. Through our pupil leadership groups, children learn about the importance of having a voice and the responsibilities that come with it. We hold regular class discussions and debates, allowing students to express their opinions and listen to others. By voting on various issues, children experience firsthand the democratic process and learn the value of democracy.

Other ways we include democracy at our school:

• Mission Statement
• Children and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at St Patrick’s via meetings, interviews, questionnaires and in lessons.
• Parents’ opinions are welcomed at St Patrick’s through methods such as having an ‘open-door’ policy, questionnaires, FPTA meetings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters e.g. Relationship Education.
• Regular voting for representative members of the School Council, Pat’s Pals, Science Ambassadors and Caritas Ambassadors.
• Debates and discussion in the foundation subjects.
• RE & PHSE Curriculum.
• Practical learning strategies such as: conscience alley.
• Curriculum topics which explore ancient civilisations and which contrast political systems across the world.
• Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

Understanding and respecting the rule of law is a key component of our curriculum. We teach our children the importance of laws in maintaining order and protecting individuals. Through classroom rules, school policies, and discussions about national laws, children learn about the consequences of breaking rules and the reasons behind them. Our visits from local police officers and educational trips to historical sites reinforce the significance of the legal system in society.

Other ways we include rule of law at our school:

• Mission Statement/ School aims.
• Behaviour Policy.
• Display of class rules in each classrooms
• Caritas (Faith in Action).
• Curriculum links e.g. Crime and Punishment.
• The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines, principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. These rules play a fundamental role in our behaviour consequences and rewards throughout school.
• 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. These values are reinforced in different ways:
• Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service;
• Cycling Proficiency lessons enable children to understand the rules of the road and the potential dangers encountered should they break those rules;
• During Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about;
• During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules.

We encourage our children to make independent choices and understand their rights and freedoms. Our curriculum is designed to help children develop a strong sense of self and confidence in their abilities. We provide a safe and supportive environment where students can express themselves, explore their interests, and pursue their passions. Lessons on personal responsibility and the impact of choices on themselves and others help children appreciate the balance between liberty and accountability.

Other ways we include individual liberty at our school:

• Mission Statement/School aims.
• Behaviour policy.
• PSHE policy.
• Displays of children’s activities
• Children’s key roles, rights and responsibilities.
• Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example:
• choices about how they can improve their learning;
• choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities
• Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE Ten:Ten lessons. We use the Ten:Ten resource alongside other materials across the whole school to deliver bespoke prayer and worship.
• Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:
• Be effective and successful learners
• Make and sustain friendships
• Deal with and resolve conflict evenly and fairly
• Solve problems with others by themselves
• Manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger or anxiety
• Be able to promote calm and optimistic states that promote the achievement of goals
• Recover from setbacks and persist in the face of difficulties
• Work and play cooperatively
• Compete fairly and win or lose with dignity and respect for all competitors
• Recognise and stand up for their rights and the rights of others
• Understand the value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own.
• To respect and value our world, and the things, both material and alive that exist within it.
• Through opportunities such as our extra-curricular, curriculum and residential trips, pupils are given the freedom to make safe choices.
• Children at St Patrick’s are encouraged to make choices knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment.

Mutual respect is at the heart of our school ethos. We teach our children to appreciate and respect the differences and similarities between people. Through collaborative projects, team activities, and discussions on various cultures and beliefs, children learn to value diversity and treat others with kindness and consideration. Our inclusive environment ensures that every children feels valued and respected, fostering a culture of empathy and understanding.

Other ways we include mutual respect at our school:

• Mission Statement/School aims.
• Behaviour policy.
• PSHE policy.
• Roles and Responsibilities.
• Display of children’s activities.
• Display of positive values around school.
• We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind. We believe everyone has their own special gifts and we are expected to use them.
• We listen and respect each other. We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally. We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly Award Assemblies.
• Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others.
• When our older children are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children this helps to promote mutual respect across the age phases.

We promote tolerance and acceptance by educating our students about different faiths and beliefs. Our Religious Education curriculum covers a wide range of religions, encouraging children to learn about and respect the practices and traditions of others. Celebrations of various religious festivals, guest speakers from different faith communities, and visits to places of worship help broaden students’ perspectives and promote a harmonious school community.

Other ways we include tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs at our school:

• Mission Statement /school aims.
• PSHE policy.
• RE policy.
• Worship records.
• Class and school assemblies.
• Alternative faith work as part of the RE curriculum coverage – World Faiths theme days.
• St Patrick’s are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our school aims, ethos as well as our RE curriculum.
• We ensure that our pupils develop the skills and knowledge to be able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures in the future. This will be particularly necessary in a future where technological advances will make the ‘world a smaller place.’
• Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.
• Specific examples of how we at St Patrick’s Primary enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:
• Through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures – in English through fiction and in art and music by considering cultures from other parts of the world.
• Celebrating cultural differences through prayer and worship, themed weeks, noticeboards and displays.
• Our Reflective Reads, celebrate our richly diverse school community.
• Children are encouraged to share their own experiences when celebrating their own faith. Daily worship reflects and teaches the children to celebrate one another as well as tolerance for different faiths and beliefs. We have our school prayers which the children collaborated on and which encompass a shared belief and value.
• Activities within school support both children and adults of different or no faith, the children are taught respect and tolerance of these groups and the opinions of the groups are taken into account with all activities.
• Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.