At Charville Academy, our values are a framework for living and learning. We equip our pupils with the necessary skills to be the best people they can be. Using the fundamental British values of: Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance; our pupils are prepared for life as citizens of the United Kingdom.

At Charville Academy these values are reinforced regularly through assemblies and the curriculum with a focus on current affairs.

Democracy

Democracy is embedded at the school.  Children are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern for each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.  Pupils also have the opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires.  The elections of the House Captains are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. The School Council work not only to solve issues that the children raise but also have input into their curriculum and the standards of the school. In addition, the School Council organises our charity work throughout the year. This includes fun days for Children In Need and Comic Relief, coffee mornings to support Macmillan and non-uniform days to raise money for a variety of causes. This fostering of a commitment to charities is another way in which we teach a sense of Britishness.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced throughout the school day. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws (rules) that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Positive behaviour management strategies are implemented throughout the school and rules and expectations are reinforced through school assemblies and class circle times. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

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 all 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 curriculum in areas such as e-safety, anti-bullying, sex and relationship education and drugs awareness education. Through their choice of learning challenge, of how they present their learning, or participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Charville is a culturally diverse school with a highly regarded inclusive ethos and practice. We celebrate this diversity in our curriculum, examples include : Our celebrations of different religious festivals throughout the year, the participation of all our children (including those with disability) in all our curriculum activities and through our language of the month.Children learn that their actions have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. The whole school community knows and understands that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have.

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Charville is situated in an area of great cultural diversity; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address these issues either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. We also focus on a language of the month which is reflective of our school community. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforces this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. For example, in RE children learn about a range of religions. They have opportunities to visit different places of worship. Through this our children gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.