What we stand for at Great Bridge Primary School

“We are team GB and together we are all valued, all achieving and all equal. At Great Bridge, our ambition is to empower all children with the knowledge and skills needed to express themselves, so they can flourish as life-long learners. Together, we strive to cultivate the citizens of tomorrow who can thrive in the diverse community of modern Britain.”

Our School Values and Motto

At Great Bridge, our school motto is:

These shared values are the guiding principles for every member of our school community. To determine these values, we sought input from teachers, parents, pupils, and governors, asking them to select the values, virtues, and behaviours that best represent our school motto.

Promoting British Values

At Great Bridge Primary School, our ultimate goal is to provide a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that promotes the understanding and practice of British Values:

• Cultural Understanding and Respect: We believe in celebrating the uniqueness of every individual in our school. Our lessons incorporate diverse stories, art, and music from various cultures, faiths, and races. By doing so, we foster mutual respect and promote acceptance amongst our pupils. Our aim is to cultivate a deep appreciation for diversity and nurture polite and accepting individuals.
• Democracy and Equality: We believe in giving our pupils a voice and involving them in decision-making processes. Through our School Council, pupils have the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions. We also educate them about the democratic system in the United Kingdom and why equality, fairness, and justice matter. By instilling these values, we aim for our pupils to become responsible citizens who understand the importance of civic engagement.
• Individual Liberty: At Great Bridge Primary School, we encourage our pupils to think independently, make their own choices, and build resilience. Through specially designed lessons and activities, we promote self-exploration and self-awareness. Our goal is for pupils to have a strong sense of self, make informed decisions, and understand the impact of their actions on others.
• Rule of Law: We place great importance on teaching our pupils about the significance of following rules and laws. Our school establishes clear and fair expectations for everyone. We educate our pupils about the legal system and their personal and social responsibilities. By doing so, we aim for our pupils to develop a sense of responsibility and become law-abiding citizens.
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance: At Great Bridge Primary School, fostering an environment of respect and acceptance is integral to our ethos. We actively work towards building positive relationships between pupils, teachers, parents, and the community. Through assemblies and lessons, we challenge stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Our goal is to develop our pupils' understanding and appreciation of different perspectives and their ability to positively contribute to our diverse society.

Promoting the Protected Characteristics

At Great Bridge Primary, we are committed to promoting and upholding the principles of the Equality Act 2010. This legislation ensures that everyone in Britain is protected against discrimination, harassment, and victimisation based on a range of characteristics that we all possess.

Under the Equality Act, there are nine key characteristics that are protected:

1. Age
2. Disability
3. Gender reassignment
4. Race
5. Religion or belief
6. Marriage or civil partnership
7. Sex
8. Sexual orientation
9. Pregnancy and maternity

In order to encourage a culture of inclusivity and respect, we actively incorporate the promotion of these protected characteristics throughout our curriculum, particularly during PSHE/RHE and RE lessons. Moreover, we aim to embed these principles within our school ethos by regularly discussing and sharing current affairs from around the world.

To facilitate a deeper understanding of these important concepts, we have recently introduced Picture News into our teaching approach. These resources enable our pupils to explore current news stories through images and thought-provoking questions. By engaging with these materials, our pupils have the opportunity to learn about the wider world and develop respect for the beliefs, feelings and faiths of others. Additionally, the use of real-world examples helps children to gain a better understanding of both British Values and the nine protected characteristics, encouraging open exploration, constructive discussions, and personal growth.