The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Walpole Cross Keys Primary School, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for student leadership positions, including school council representatives.  During significant election periods we organise our own Mock Elections to teach, promote and celebrate democracy. The principle of democracy is also explored in a variety of curriculum areas, including History, PSCHE and Religious Education as well as in whole-school and year group assemblies, which are led by staff, students and external groups.

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at our School. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of our school and the value and reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  These are discussed and reinforced in assemblies, class time, in PSCHE, at break and lunch time and are referred to by all school staff.

At Walpole Cross Keys Primary School, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at our school educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, actively create a safe environment for all and deliver an empowering education.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely.  In lessons pupils are encouraged to think for themselves and their opinions and points of view, as well as other people’s, are challenged and discussed.  We promote freedom of speech and pupils have a strong and influential voice in all aspects of their school life.  We teach them to take advantage of their freedoms but to do so safely, for example through lessons and activities on e-safety, well-being, etc.

Walpole Cross Keys Primary School has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy, which has at its heart the freedom of all students to learn and grow safely.

Respect is a core value at Walpole Cross Keys Primary School. We insist that all pupils, teachers, non-teaching staff and visitors to our school are treated with dignity and respect.  This is expressed by all demonstrating good manners and fostering positive and professional relationships. Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with courtesy and respect and these values underpin all teaching and learning and all relationships in our school.

Mutual respect is explicitly taught through behaviours for learning, such as active listening and positive speaking and presentation. Pupils are actively encouraged to express their views in a safe environment and through the school council, where decisions are discussed openly and with respect.  The content of whole school and year group assemblies explicitly teach mutual respect, for example, those on the themes of friendship, religious festivals, historically important events and people, etc.

This is achieved though equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Pupils benefit from a number of visitors, studying a variety of texts from different authors and visits from external organisations. Additionally, pupils are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivals throughout the calendar year. The Religious Education curriculum, which is compulsory for all students, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.  Our assembly programme actively celebrates a variety of faiths and beliefs and aims to educate our young people about people with different views and beliefs, promoting tolerance, understanding and respect, as well as the joy and richness of experience that comes from living in a multi-cultural society.

Walpole Cross Keys Primary School strives to ensure that our pupils leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and to make a positive and meaningful contribution to our society, through positive expression of the values of democracy, tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs, individual liberty, the rule of law and mutual respect.