The Trinity Federation Christian Vision 

'I have come that you may have life in all its fullness.' John 10:10

At St. Mary's Bluecoat CE Primary School, we recognise that we are part of a federation of three Christian schools.  We join together as The Trinity Federation aligned by our overarching Christian Vision; Life in all its fullness.

Recognising their historic foundation, the schools will preserve and develop their religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level.

The schools aim to serve their community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. They encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promote Christian values through the experience they offer to all their pupils.

Mission Statement

At our school we strive to:

• Provide a stimulating, safe and secure environment, which fosters a sense of pride and ownership in the school.
• Promote spiritual awareness and respect for all other religions, races and cultures.
• Enable each child to achieve his/her full potential, whether their gifts be sporting, creative, academic, or otherwise, through a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum delivered through a variety of teaching approaches.
• Encourage each child to develop a sense of self-esteem, self- discipline, personal responsibility and respect for others.
• Have high expectations of behaviour.
• Maintain strong links with the community, local, national and international.
• Promote a learning partnership between children, parents, teachers and governors where we value, develop and support all; recognising individual strengths, talents and interests.

British Values:

At St. Mary’s Bluecoat CE Primary School…

Pupils are expected to learn:

• an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through   the democratic process

• an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law

• an acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behavior

• an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination

Duty to promote Fundamental British Values:

All teaching staff across The Trinity Federation have attended the Home Office Prevent Training (RAP). The Executive Headteacher has also attended the Prevent training for designated child protection leads (a statutory requirement).

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014.

Across our federation these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is embedded at our schools.  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.  Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Councils, ECO groups, SNAG and annual questionnaires.  The elections of members of such groups are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced across the federation. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. These are our School Rules, Playground Rules and Safety Rules. Each class also discusses and sets its own rules 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 rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

All pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a federation of schools we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our eSafety and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of the core values in all of our schools. As Church of England Primary Schools Christian values are deeply embedded in all that we do at the school.  The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.  The core value of Respect underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. We enhance pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies, assemblies and P.S.H.E. lessons.

We actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

The Federation has a clear policy on Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation