Our school is a democracy for all its stake holders. All staff have a voice and most importantly so do the children. The voices of children are heard through our School Council, Eco Council and through questionnaires, listening boxes and ‘can we talk?’ scheme. Children are always able to voice their opinions, and we foster an environment where children are safe to disagree with each other. The children see democracy borne out in a whole variety of ways and see this as being an essential component of successful team working. Democracy is a school value that children meet when discussing respect and fairness.

The children at Woodlea Primary School are familiar with this concept through the strong values-based philosophy that infuses the entire work of the school. Rules are important in our school, and we all have shared responsibility for them. An understanding of behaviour for learning expectations as exemplified in our ‘Woodlea Wheel of Learning’ is a crucial part of our ethos. We refer to it daily as well as in specific school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations. Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, local counsellors and local community support officers are regular parts of our school life and help reinforce our high expectations of behaviour both inside and outside of school. Children are used to discussing laws and rules and their application.

Our pupils are actively encouraged to take risks and make choices. They do this knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment where it is OK to make mistakes. As a school we provide boundaries for young pupils to enable them to make choices safely, they are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. We do this through our E-Safety lessons, PHSE sessions and values assemblies. Challenge and choice are key parts of all our lessons, we encourage pupils and staff to ‘take a risk’ in their learning in a safe, managed environment. We also offer numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities; pupils are given the freedom to make choices at every step of their school lives with us, knowing that Woodlea is a safe place to explore individual choice and liberty.

Our Values-based discussions and assemblies begin with discussion about the self, e.g. self–respect and self-worth in relation to the individual value so that children see that they are important in their own right. The philosophy of our teaching and learning places emphasis on the right to have our own thoughts and evidence-based views. Children are strongly encouraged to develop independence in learning and to think for themselves.

At Woodlea, we believe that it is crucial that children should have a clear understanding of their place in our culturally diverse society and should be given opportunities to experience diversity. We work closely with members of different faiths and religions who share their knowledge to enhance learning and acceptance within our school. We follow the Agreed RE Syllabus for Surrey and regularly go on trips to various places of worship. In addition to this our RE and PHSE fosters an ethos of acceptance, of working with others and of respecting others opinions despite our own situations or beliefs.

Whilst actively promoting British Values we ensure that our school challenges pupils, staff or parents if expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views. This is underpinned by our school codes and policies.

Respect is a fundamental school value, around which pivots much of the work of the school. We pay explicit attention to this as part of our RE and PHSE curriculum. The Value is discussed deeply, starting with self-respect and covering respect for family, friends, and other groups; the world and its people; and the environment.