Democracy
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Our Pupil Parliament Elections are an excellent way for children to learn first-hand about democracy and the voting process. Children have a representative from each year group to ensure their voice is heard, ideas put forward and that they are fully involved in the everyday running of the school. The election process reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative and pupils even vote via a ballot box.
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The Pupil Parliament meet regularly to discuss issues raised by pupils across the school. Children can fill in a Pupil Parliament Petition Form to put ideas forward. But in support of being democratic, they need to get at least 9 other pupils to countersign their proposal before it will be discussed at Parliament!
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As part of our History curriculum, we look at politics and political leaders and their influence on local, British and international history.
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In English, we hold debates and discussion on topics which give children the opportunity to influence the opinions of others and use a democratic process to express their views. Children are given the opportunity to explore persuasive writing, often about a contentious local issue!
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Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.
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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.
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Subject leaders often ask children to complete surveys about subjects and conduct ‘pupil conferencing’ in which pupils are asked questions about the subject and what improvements could be made.
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Parents’ opinions are welcomed through methods such as questionnaires, parent’s evenings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters when they arise.
The Rule of Law
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This is taught to children through school and class rules with clear rewards and expectations set out in our Behaviour Policy and Curriculum.
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Our Bugle Values are : Ready, Respectful, Safe which support children to respect the rule of law
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The importance of rules and laws, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. We consider both our school rules and the rules and laws beyond school. We use local, national and international current affairs to support this whenever possible
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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:
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Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service
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During Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
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During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules
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Individual Liberty
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At Bugle, children know that they all have the right to learn and grow in confidence. They understand that their opinion matters and is valued. They are taught to listen to and respect other peoples’ opinions and values. We use the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to support this.
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This is taught on a daily basis through lessons, turn-taking, group and whole-class discussions, teamwork and collaborative tasks.
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Individual Liberty runs through our behaviour curriculum, Bugle Boost Personal Development and PSHE offer.
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Around school, we display lots of our children’s work across the curriculum. We celebrate our diverse school community using the approach "EVERYONE DIFFERENT, EVERYONE EQUAL"
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Many children have key roles and responsibilities, for example: Pupil Parliament, Prefects, Sustainability Supporters etc.
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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:
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choices about how they can improve their learning
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choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities
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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 lessons.
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By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:
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Be effective and successful learners
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Make and sustain friendships
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Deal with and resolve conflict evenly and fairly
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Solve problems with others by themselves
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Manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger or anxiety
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Be able to promote calm and optimistic states that promote the achievement of goals
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Recover from setbacks and persist in the face of difficulties
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Work and play cooperatively
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Compete fairly and win or lose with dignity and respect for all competitors
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Recognise and stand up for their rights and the rights of others
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Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Cultures and Religions
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Children celebrate a number of festivals over the school year such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Harvest Festival and even through our lunchtime menu. We celebrate diversity through dance in PE, religious beliefs throughout History and religion around the globe.
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In Geography, we locate a range of different countries to look at their natural and man-made features and discuss their ways of life.
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In our RE lessons, we investigate different festivals and celebrations in all religions, creation stories and their beliefs and traditions.
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In Art we encourage children to work with collaboratively through group projects. We explore artists from differing cultures and discuss their beliefs and ideas. Through Art and Design children can challenge themselves to improve, reflecting on their own work and that of others in a respectful and kind environment. The children learn to share their ideas confidently whilst benefiting from the views, experiences and opinions of others.
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We celebrate the different languages spoken within the school and around the world. We investigate different cultures and discuss similarities and differences compared to our lives.
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In Music, we consider music from cultures around the world.
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In PSHE, we consider our own individuality and how different communities, religious groups and cultures can come together and learn from each other, and how we should appreciate them. We understand and value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own.
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In English, we read texts from a range of cultures and background and themes from around the world.
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We celebrate cultural differences through assemblies, themed weeks, curriculum learning and displays.
Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.
