At Meadowdale Academy our children encounter these fundamental principles throughout everyday school life:
• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy
Pupil voice is a significant part of life at Meadowdale. Our pupil elected school ambassadors play a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making our school a better place to learn. Our children have a great amount of input into what and how they learn. Pupil questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year. We know that the formation of the school ambassador’s forum and the active participation of our children will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future.
Our school also has a Gold Level Parliamentary Ambassador, an award which recognises our commitment to teaching children about the work of parliament and democracy. Through this learning, pupils are given opportunities to investigate and offer reasoned views about moral and ethical issues.
The rule of law
Our pupils will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our children to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.
This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. The involvement of our pupils in the creation of the school rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the consequences if they are broken. We encourage opportunities to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, war veterans, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real-life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.
Individual liberty
We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. Through our online safety and PSHE, we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely.
Mutual respect
Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Our children learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around our school and in the classrooms.
Our PSHE curriculum broadens children’s knowledge of the expectations of living in the wider community and develops an understanding of their behaviour and actions in the wider world. We take part in local initiatives such as the ‘mini police’ training which provides opportunities for children to put their learning about right and wrong into practice.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At Meadowdale Academy, we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.