International values at S.A.I.L.
In schools across Britain the Department of Education has recently reinforced the need "to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs."
At the Szczecin Academy of International Learning we apply the same principles of democracy, liberty, respect and tolerance adapted as key international values which are fundamental to the teaching and learning our pupils receive.
Democracy
Our children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a School Council which meets weekly to discuss issues raised in each class and to actively promote pupil voice within the school. The School Council has is able to genuinely effect change within the school. The School Council Committee members as well as representatives for each year group are voted in by their fellow pupils. The high quality work of our School Council is recognised through them being awarded PADL (Promoting Active Democracy Loudly) Bronze, Silver, Gold and now, Platinum status. Governors are also actively involved in the work of the School Council through attending meetings and receiving regular reports at Governor’s meetings.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Daily awards (hard work/achievement trophies) recognise pupil achievements and similarly pupils are held to account for any behaviour that falls below the standards expected by the school. The school’s behaviour policy promotes reward for those who follow school rules and details the sanctions for those who don’t.
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.
There are regular visitations by authorities such as Police, Fire Service and Lifeguards, to help reinforce this message and gain the children's interest in learning about safety.
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 young 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. Whether it is through choice of learning challenge (e.g. Y5/6 project work), of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
As an Academy of International Learning we aim to be a Global Learning expert centre where we actively use a Critical Thinking model to develop and ensure that mutual respect is at the heart of our pupils' values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Through this method, or Circle Time in KS1, all members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs
As an international learning environment, cultural diversity is is at the forefront of our interests. We lace great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue, either or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures.
Our RE and SMSC curriculum and learning opportunities reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
Children visit places of worship and historical importance to gain a greater understanding of different cultural backgrounds. They take part in a wide variety of annual performances and celebrations to learn to appreciate different religions and faiths.
At the Szczecin Academy of International Learning we apply the same principles of democracy, liberty, respect and tolerance adapted as key international values which are fundamental to the teaching and learning our pupils receive.
Democracy
Our children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a School Council which meets weekly to discuss issues raised in each class and to actively promote pupil voice within the school. The School Council has is able to genuinely effect change within the school. The School Council Committee members as well as representatives for each year group are voted in by their fellow pupils. The high quality work of our School Council is recognised through them being awarded PADL (Promoting Active Democracy Loudly) Bronze, Silver, Gold and now, Platinum status. Governors are also actively involved in the work of the School Council through attending meetings and receiving regular reports at Governor’s meetings.
The Rule of Law
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Daily awards (hard work/achievement trophies) recognise pupil achievements and similarly pupils are held to account for any behaviour that falls below the standards expected by the school. The school’s behaviour policy promotes reward for those who follow school rules and details the sanctions for those who don’t.
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.
There are regular visitations by authorities such as Police, Fire Service and Lifeguards, to help reinforce this message and gain the children's interest in learning about safety.
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 young 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. Whether it is through choice of learning challenge (e.g. Y5/6 project work), of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual Respect
As an Academy of International Learning we aim to be a Global Learning expert centre where we actively use a Critical Thinking model to develop and ensure that mutual respect is at the heart of our pupils' values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. Through this method, or Circle Time in KS1, all members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs
As an international learning environment, cultural diversity is is at the forefront of our interests. We lace great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue, either or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures.
Our RE and SMSC curriculum and learning opportunities reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
Children visit places of worship and historical importance to gain a greater understanding of different cultural backgrounds. They take part in a wide variety of annual performances and celebrations to learn to appreciate different religions and faiths.
