At Paxton Academy, these values are woven throughout our curriculum and everyday life. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility, preparing them for life in modern Britain. Alongside our school values of R.E.S.P.E.C.T., we promote British Values in a meaningful and practical way.
Democracy
We believe every child has a voice. Pupils take part in decision-making through our School Council, which is elected each year in a democratic vote. Class representatives gather the views of their peers and share them in meetings with senior staff, helping to shape school life and improvements. Pupil voice is also captured through focus groups, questionnaires and discussions about learning, safety and well-being. Through these opportunities, children learn that their opinions count and that democracy involves both rights and responsibilities.
The Rule of Law
From their first day, children learn the importance of rules and boundaries, both within school and in wider society. Our Behaviour Policy, assemblies and PSHE curriculum help pupils understand that laws and rules exist to keep us safe and ensure fairness. Visitors, including the Police and community representatives, reinforce this understanding. Children are supported to make positive choices, understand consequences and develop a clear sense of justice, learning that laws protect us all and must be respected.
Individual Liberty
At Paxton, children are encouraged to make choices and take responsibility for them. We teach pupils that freedom comes with respect for the rights of others. In a safe and supportive environment, they make everyday choices, from their learning challenges to participation in clubs and extra-curricular activities. Our approach to Personal Development and e-Safety empowers pupils to express themselves, develop independence and stay safe online and in the wider world.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Respect sits at the heart of Paxton life. We celebrate the richness of our diverse community through our Celebration Calendar, which recognises significant cultural and religious events. Through the curriculum, assemblies and visits to places of worship, pupils learn about different faiths, beliefs and traditions. We actively promote understanding, challenge prejudice and ensure that everyone feels valued. All staff model respect, kindness and inclusion, helping pupils to develop empathy and a genuine appreciation of others.
At Paxton, we actively challenge any expressions of intolerance or extremist views that run contrary to these values. Our vision is clear: every child should grow as a confident, compassionate and respectful citizen, ready to make a positive difference in the world around them.
British Values through the Curriculum
Interwoven within the curriculum in a range of curriculum areas are planned opportunities to teach the values of our British society. Some examples are:
PSHE: How we influence democracy is explored though PSHE and whole school assemblies. This includes looking at historical figures such as Nelson Mandela, The British Monarchy and Gandhi and exploring the effectiveness of different approaches. The Rule of Law, the importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country is consistently reinforced. 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 e-safety and PSHE lessons.
Geography: As the children get older we will ensure that children have a better understanding of what Britain is, learning more about its capital cities and counties, its rivers and mountains, where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world.
History: Britain and its influence in modern times are aspects woven into our curriculum.
Music: The study of British composers and their influence worldwide.
Art: The study of how British artist influence others around the world.
Religious, Moral & Spiritual Education: Gaining a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices, this covers key religions represented in the UK. Planning for the subject is directed by the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) –Croydon Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. All children have the opportunity to visits places of worship that are important to different to faiths. Paxton Academy actively promotes diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
Physical Education: Promotion of the concept of “fair play”, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others.
Computing: Children are also taught about respect and bullying in the online world through regular e-safety lessons and talks by the local police.
Pupil Leadership: Promotion of democratic processes through school council, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns. Key to this is the concept of holding others to account, including those in positions of influence and authority.
Educational visits: Our broad range of educational visits and experiences outside of the classroom equip our children with the skills to make a positive contribution to their community as equal citizens, as well as being able to look at British heritage in more depth.
Community Events: We support a range of charities and participate in national fund raising events. In addition we encourage our children to interact with children from other schools, both locally and further afield, through organised activities.
