Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Bradwell Village School. Democracy is central to how we operate.
An obvious example is our School Council. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of one elected representative, and one deputy, from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes.
The Council are actively involved in recruitment and in providing teachers with feedback, such as providing a review of themed weeks.

Other examples of ‘pupil voice’ are:

• children agree their Class Charter and the rights associated with these; all children contribute to the drawing up of the charter
• children have the opportunity to nominate and vote for others to receive a certificate for great learning or choices
• using Pupil Questionnaires, children are asked to respond and reflect on the teaching and learning

Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses and sets its own Class Charter, a set of principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every
class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

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.

These values are reinforced in different ways:

• visits from authorities such as the police
• during Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about
• during other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules – in a sports lesson, for example.

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our young pupils to make choices safely;

for example:

• choices about learning challenges or activities
• choices about how they record their learning
• choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our e-safety and PSHE lessons.

Bradwell Village School pupil’s live in various areas across Milton Keynes. It is an area which is culturally diverse and we are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Mutual respect is key to developing an understanding of and respect for a wide range of religious values, languages and cultural traditions and different ways of life.

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have, and to everything, whether it is a school resource or a religious belief. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community should treat each other with respect.

Specific examples of how we at Bradwell Village School enhance pupils understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs are:

• through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we might develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures
• In English through fiction and in Art by considering culture from other parts of the world, for example
• through our Creative Weeks and Assemblies.
• through charitable events such as fundraising for Comic Relief and British Heart Foundation.