Assemblies / Collective Worship

In our school assemblies, we celebrate more than just academic achievement. While strong academic aspirations for our pupils is recognised, our awards are guided by a broader vision. We believe in applauding the diverse efforts and qualities that contribute to a well-rounded individual and future responsible citizen.

• Commitment and effort: Going above and beyond, showing consistent dedication and improvement
• Embracing our core values: Demonstrating capability, compassion, independence, high aspirations, and skills for active citizenship.
• Positive choices and contributions: Making a difference in the classroom, community, or their own personal growth.
• Overcoming challenges: Showing resilience, perseverance, and a positive attitude in the face of difficulties.

Merit Assemblies: Every week, our phase leaders gather pupils together in the main hall to celebrate their accomplishments. Two pupils from each class are nominated by their teachers to receive a certificate for their outstanding work, improved attitude towards learning, or for going the extra mile. This weekly merit assembly serves as a platform to recognise and applaud the efforts of our pupils who consistently demonstrate excellence and dedication, and who are making steps towards self-improvement. During these assemblies, attendance figures are also shared, and any children who have earned a trackit light certificate will also be awarded these.  (Held Weekly)

 

Independent learning award: This is an award we give to children that put a lot of effort into independent / home learning. (Held termly)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vision award - 'capable'. This award is given to pupils who are nominated for demonstrating high standards in a particular subject.(Held termly)

 

 

 

 

 

Vision award - 'compassion'. This award is given to pupils who are nominated by a teacher for showing exceptional compassion and kindness.  (Held termly)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance Award Assembly: Children who have 100% or 95% attendance are recognised each half-term and awarded with a certificate for good attendance.  (Held termly)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singing Assemblies: Will hold singing assemblies every other week for KS1 and KS2. We follow the sing-up curriculum. 

Sing Up’s is an online platform and resources we use are designed to engage our young singers and help support our pupils' singing skills, musical understanding, confidence and self-esteem.  (Held fortnightly)

 

 

 

Weekly Picture News Assemblies: These assemblies are led by teachers in KS1, and by pupils nominated as "Nelson Picture News Leaders" who plan and deliver these assemblies to their classes. These assemblies encourage children to express their feelings about current affairs, link stories to British Values and have a weekly link to UNICEF's "Articles of the child".  (Held Weekly)

 

 

 

British Values

At Nelson Primary School, we instil a deep understanding of British values in our pupils. Through our curriculum, assemblies, and school activities, we impart these values alongside our unique focus on fostering  (or growing), capable and compassionate children. Our commitment is visually represented on the Nelson Values Tree

What are British values?

British values are the fundamental principles that underpin our society and way of life. They are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Why are British values important?

British values are important because they help to create a safe and fair society where everyone is treated with respect. They also help to promote understanding and cooperation between people from different backgrounds.

 

How we teach British values

• Democracy: We have a school council where pupils can represent their peers and have a say in how the school is run. We also teach pupils about the importance of voting and elections.
• The rule of law: We teach pupils about the importance of the law and how it helps to protect us all. We also teach pupils about their rights and responsibilities under the law.
• Individual liberty: We encourage pupils to think for themselves and to make their own choices. We also teach pupils about the importance of respecting the rights of others.
• Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs: We teach pupils about the importance of respecting people from different backgrounds and religions. We also teach pupils about the importance of challenging prejudice and discrimination.

Using current world issues to teach British values

We use current world issues to teach British values in our class assemblies. Our school subscribes to the "Assemblies Picture News" website to find relevant and engaging resources. Each class assembly has an explicit link to British values and the articles of the child. We also encourage pupils to participate in the assemblies by asking questions and sharing their thoughts. Fortnightly, in KS2, our pupil news leaders also lead these assemblies and remind children of the values so that this teaching is constantly reinforced.

Holding elections for the school council

We also reinforce British values by holding elections for our school council. This gives pupils the opportunity to experience democracy in action and to learn about the importance of voting and elections. Pupils can vote for their representatives on the school council. The candidates give speeches to their classmates and answer questions. The pupils then vote for the candidates they think will best represent them. The school council meets regularly to discuss issues that are important to the pupils. They also have the opportunity to make suggestions to the school leadership team. We believe that holding elections for the school council is a great way to teach pupils about democracy and to give them a voice in how the school is run.

Other ways we reinforce British values

Here are some other ways that we reinforce British values at Nelson Primary School:

• Teaching pupils about the history of the United Kingdom and its values within our curriculum.
• Celebrating different cultures and religions, including regular visits to different places of worship each year
• Promoting diversity and inclusion
• We have strong links with the police and fire service, who visit the school and lead workshops and assemblies. 
• We have a clearly structured policy on behaviour at Nelson, and all members of the school follow this in conjunction with our Diamond Rules. 
• Children experience democracy in action as part of our subject ambassador, peer mediator and other school initiative teams.
• Children learn the art of debate in our Debate Mate Clubs, often debating issues closely aligned with British values.  
• Teaching pupils about their rights and responsibilities
• Running a peer mediator programme so that pupils learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully
• Our PSHE curriculum lends itself perfectly to the discreet teaching of British values.  
• Encouraging pupils to be respectful of others at all times. This is demonstrated at its best during our R-Time weekly sessions.

We also reinforce British values through our school policies and procedures. For example, we have policies in place to promote anti-bullying, equality, and diversity.

 

Makaton

 

Makaton is a way of talking that uses signs, symbols, and speech. It's a super fun and easy way to make friends with everyone, even if they don't speak the same language as you.

Here are some of the cool things you can do with Makaton:

• We can sing our favourite songs at the top of our lungs with friends in sign language during some of our singing assemblies. 
• Ask our friends to play with us using signs and speech.
• Make new friends in the playground who don't speak the same language as us.

Makaton is for everyone! It doesn't matter how old you are or what language you speak. Makaton can help us communicate with everyone and have fun.

So what are you waiting for? Start learning Makaton today with our amazing Makaton Ambassadors. They have prepared weekly videos for you to learn a new sign each week.