At Falla Park we ensure that through our school vision and teaching we promote tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain. Diversity is one of our curriculum drivers and is therefore embedded in teaching and learning throughout the school. Each class has its own Class Charter, and class identity, designed as a collaborative effort using the UNICEF’s rights of the child articles.
As a UNICEF Right’s Respecting School we value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all children and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these including whole school and class assemblies. This teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. Underpinning all this, are a range of curriculum topics, which have strong links to British History. We do not tolerate prejudices of any kind at Falla Park. We work in partnership with the Anti Bullying Alliance to ensure that all children at Falla Park feel safe and happy. In addition, we work with Show Racism the Red Card, which is an anti-racism educational charity.
Key Stage 1 study significant figures and events in British history with particular reference to key events, for example: The Fire of London. In Key Stage 2, British history is taught with in depth studies of different periods, for example: The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain, Britain’s settlement by the Anglo Saxons and Scots and then the Viking and Anglo Saxon struggle for the kingdom of England. In Year 6, pupils learn about World War Two and the impact that the military had in fighting for the British Empire. This is linked with Remembrance Day commemorations where children purchase poppies and a two minutes silence is held.
As a whole school, we continue to focus on the Olympic Values of respect, excellence, determination, courage, equality and inspiration as well as, ‘The Secret to Success,’ which encourage children to push themselves, hard work, understand others and persevere.
In recent years, we celebrated the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with special assemblies and themed lessons. The Golden Jubilee was a huge event for the school, with a ‘street party’ event held on the school playground. Daily assemblies uphold traditional values of empathy, respect and tolerance. These are also taught within formal SEAL, PSHE and RE lessons.
Democracy is evident within our school. Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a School Council, which meets regularly, to discuss issues raised in class. Children have an annual questionnaire with which they are able to put forward their views about the school. The children vote for their House Captains and School Council Representatives. The Year 6 pupils also visit Gateshead Council Chambers and Mayor’s Parlour to find out about local democracy, this includes meeting local councilors and taking part in a Q&A session with them.
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. Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us and the responsibilities that this involves as well as the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as: the Community Police and Fire Service, Anti Bullying Alliance and The Youth Offending Team reinforce the importance of laws.
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 children to make choices safely. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is a choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, children are given the freedom to make choices.
As a Rights Respecting School, mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
We are very proud at Falla Park School as we feel Our Falla Park Values are a true reflection of British Values.
