Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School

As an truly inclusive and diverse school we use the British Values to create a strong culture of Tolerance, Mutual Respect, Democracy, Individual Liberty which we underpin with our understanding of the Rule of Law.

These themes run through our whole school curriculum and are used alongside our Christian values to establish a vibrant school culture that puts inclusion at it's heart.

British Values

The DfE have recently reinforced the 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, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs."

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At RAMJS the values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Each year the children decide upon their class charter and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter.

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues the council members for each year group are voted in by their class.

Children have an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school.

The rule of law:

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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.

We involve the pupils in setting the school code of conduct; helping the pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large. Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.

Individual liberty:

Pupils at RAMJS are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible. Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.

Mutual respect:

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours 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.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:

At RAMJS we are a culturally rich and diverse school where children have unique opportunities to learn from each other by sharing and celebrating their different faiths and cultures. Collective worship and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed up and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. 

Our Prayer corners and trees reflect all faiths and children are encouraged to pray to their God. Members of different faiths or religions are encourage to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.