I listen carefully to other pupils' views and opinions.

I show understanding and respect for others and do not discriminate.

I accept that making mistakes is part of learning.

I display a positive attitude to all tasks I undertake.

I celebrate my own and other people's successes.

I strive to achieve in all that I do and support others to achieve.

I listen at all times and contribute when requested.

I display excellent manners and at all times treat everyone with respect.

I take pride in my work and am willing to answer questions.

I value knowledge and understand that it is the cornerstone to a good education.

We believe it is crucial that our school models the principles and practice of democracy. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through Pupil Parliament, frequent pupil voice and surveys. The democratic process is employed for important decisions within the school community so that pupils can experience and understand how this process works. The principles of democracy are explored in a number of curriculum subjects, including history and PSHE.

The importance of codes of conduct and behaviour are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, and through school assemblies.  Our staff are positive role models for our pupils.  Pupils are taught about why laws are important in a democratic society, and about the laws that govern and protect the citizens of the UK.  They learn about the responsibilities involved and the consequences when laws are broken.  

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make positive choices, knowing that they are in a safe, supportive environment with boundaries. Pupils are encouraged to know and understand how to exercise their rights and personal freedoms.  We advise them how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety and PSHE lessons.  Pupils have the right to choose from a wide range of enrichment activities based on their interests.  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The Human Rights Act are taught through the PSHE curriculum.

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has evolved around our On TRACK values such as Courtesy.  All the adults in our school community model the importance of mutual respect.  We have a zero tolerance approach to all forms of bullying.  Pupils take part in discussion and assemblies about what mutual respect means and how it is evident in social interaction.  Pupils learn how their behaviours can affect themselves and others.  Our RSE curriculum teaches pupils how to behave responsibly towards themselves and others in preparation for adulthood.  Our taught curriculum is underpinned by values of mutual respect across all subjects.

We approach this by developing pupils' understanding of their place in a richly diverse society.  We give them opportunities to experience such diversity through visitors to the school, visits to places of worship and symbolic significance, and through our wider enrichment programme which encourages pupils to be outward-looking and curious about the wider world.  We welcome pupils from all faiths and cultures to learn at The Whitstable School.  Learning about different faiths and beliefs in PSHE is supported by other areas of the curriculum, such as English, geography, art, music, and history and is also a strong feature of assemblies.

Our assemblies uphold traditional values of empathy, respect and tolerance.  Assemblies respond to current issues that are of interest to, or affect, our school community.  We welcome outside speakers from a range of diverse backgrounds to speak at assemblies.