Throughout their time at Helmsley CP School there will be many occasions where children will have the opportunity to vote and for their voices to be heard. We understand that the children's opinions about their school are valid and need to be at the heart of our decision making.  All staff will model this process through asking questions and inviting children's answers and opinions, whether it be in lessons, during assemblies, at lunchtime or on the playground. For example, in child-initiated learning, all children are developing their decision making skills and learning to make informed choices and take responsibility for them. Older children often take part in debating activities or engage in public speaking on various topics. Our School Council has members elected from each class and have regular meetings to represent the views of their classmates. Our school behaviour policy is clear that children are expected to contribute and cooperate, taking into account the views of others. Our Values also promote democracy.

We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our Behaviour Blueprint (rules) that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken. They recognise that whilst we have rules at school, other rules and laws exist in the country for the same reasons.

• At the beginning of each academic year the school are reminded of our rules for promoting positive behaviour: Ready, Respectful, Safe. Each class discuss how these elements can be shown in their classroom with their peers and the teacher. These are then displayed in the class and referred to as necessary. 


• Children are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. We help children to understand the connection between actions and consequences; rights and responsibilities.

Visits from the fire service, road safety experts, the police and visits to the various community buildings help us to reinforce this message.

Within school, children 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 our children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and engaging teaching. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their
rights and personal freedoms, whilst recognising that they have various responsibilities to fulfil.

We support each child to become as independent as possible so that they are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We endeavour to demonstrate that everyone has rights; this includes the right to say ‘No’ when appropriate.

Some children will be able to take responsibility for particular roles, such as monitors, Sport’s Leaders and buddies. Learning to do things independently is an important part of learning to understand yourself. We believe that in fostering a careful and helpful environment and encouraging independence we can boost and nurture a healthy self esteem. Whether it be through their choice of learning challenge, how to record their work, choosing which of our many extra-curricular activities to participate in or what to eat at lunchtime, our children are given the freedom to make many choices.

Being Respectful is one of our school values. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of our school community treat each other with respect. Events and circumstances are planned for pupils to go into the community to meet with a variety of people in different situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools. We support others our community in a variety of ways for example: singing songs and carols to others;  collecting Harvest presents for the Shoebox Appeal, as well as participating in national charitable events such as Children in Need, Comic Relief and fund raising for local charities.

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as Respectful’, and children model this by caring, sharing and listening to others. Our staff help children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words can affect others.

We aim to enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs by participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year. Through our school values, all children are taught to respect everyone regardless of their faith and beliefs. In the curriculum through Religious Education, PSHE, English, Art, geography and history, as well as our Assembly themes, children consider cultures from other parts of the world, different faiths and beliefs. We invite visitors from our community to share their knowledge and to enhance learning both within classes and for the whole school or we visit local places of worship.

To celebrate being British we:
• Study key historical figures and events in British history through our topics
• Learn about our Patron Saints and various myths and legends from Britain
• Dance and listen to music from the different regions of Britain
• Learn key geographical facts about Britain
• Celebrate national and local events which make living in Britain unique
• Study our native wildlife both within our grounds and beyond
• Support national events such as the Olympics and the World Cup