Newquay Junior Academy
British values
At Newquay Junior Academy we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community. We aim to develop a variety of events and lessons to celebrate and explore these as well as discussing other cultures in our country.
The Department for Education states that there is a need:
“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools 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”.
The Department for Education defines British values as follows:
- Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
- Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
- Support for equality of opportunity for all
- Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
- Respect for and tolerance of different faiths, religions and other beliefs.
Our academy aims to reflect British values in all that we do. We endeavour to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, who are respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
We value the voice of the child and promote democratic processes through our school council whose members are voted for by the children. Ideas and events are planned and discussed by both members then presented to classes with a chance for every child to engage in debate and put forward their point of view.
Pupils are given responsibility to lead other children in play time games and activities involving them in all aspects of school life whilst promoting our core values. We expect all our children to be good role models for each other and this is encouraged through high expectations of behaviour and our ‘Newquay Junior Academy Way’.
Through PSHE (Jigsaw), Picture News and the Opening Worlds humanities curriculum, pupils are taught about the nine protected characteristics included within the Equality Act (2010) and are encouraged to discuss and respect the differences between people. As well as celebrating pupils’ achievements and successes, assemblies are themed around the fundamental British values which align with our school ethos.
The Opening Worlds curriculum makes connections between RE, history and geography to foster a meaningful understanding of the British values and protected characteristics whilst promoting each pupil’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It incorporates themes and content that celebrate diversity, encouraging students to explore and appreciate different cultures, beliefs and identities.
You are also welcome to visit our school to gain a deeper understanding of how our broad and balanced curriculum prepares our pupils for life in modern Britain.
Democracy
At Newquay Junior Academy, we teach learners how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process. We do this through promoting classroom discussion and debate, hosting a debate club, agreeing classroom rules, and voting on the school councillors and their termly topics.
Through doing this, we teach our learners to think critically, thoughtfully and respectfully, whilst encouraging them to be active citizens, both in school and in the wider community.
School council minutes 20.01.25
Rule of law
At Newquay Junior Academy, we aim to ensure that our rules, values and behaviour policy are clear and fair. In school, we teach our learners that these rules are necessary to keep them safe and create a positive learning atmosphere. We help learners to identify right from wrong and encourage them to take responsibility for their choices. Through doing this, we support their understanding of living under the rule of law within the wider society which is designed to protect the rights of all individuals.
Mutual respect and tolerance
At Newquay Junior Academy, we use Jigsaw (PSHE), Opening Worlds humanities lessons, Picture News assemblies and our school values to promote respect for individual differences. We help learners to acquire an understanding and respect for their own culture and an acceptance of people from different backgrounds and beliefs in order to promote a more inclusive and diverse society.
We ensure that there is a broad and diverse curriculum which offers the opportunities for all children to reach their potential. We acknowledge that some learners may have physical, emotional or social difficulties which require extra support from staff to ensure that all children can access all areas of school life. We work closely with our learners, parents, carers and outside agencies to support all children who are in our school.
Individual liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a supportive and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young learners to make choices safely; for example:
- How they spend their playtime
- What they eat
- Their participation in extra-curricular activities
- Which topics the school council will discuss on their behalf.
Our learners are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our e-safety lessons.