Votes For Schools

What is Votes for Schools?

It is a weekly resource that takes supports the teaching of topical subjects and questions that align with Relationships and Health Education, PSHE, SMSC, British Values, Citizenship, Global responsibility, mental health and also addresses objectives outlines in the Prevent Duty which addresses the prevention of radicalisation and extremism.

Each week, there is a different lesson presentation that explains a different topical issue and we use these resources as a basis for our whole school and class assemblies and encourage reflection and debate. At the end of the week all children will vote 'yes' or 'no' based upon discussions and a variety of viewpoints presented. This data is collected and compared with schools Nationally and reported to a variety of organisation which often respond to Primary Pupils across the country with statements about the issues they are voting upon.

Why do we use it?

At Leigh Primary School we want our children to talk about topics that are interesting, relevant and important to them as individuals and the world about them. We want them to be able to communicate effectively in order to express their own opinions as well as respect those of others particularly when they differ from their own. Additionally, we want our children to be educated citizens that are informed and ready to be successful in wider society as they grown into young adults and understand that their voice is important in our democracy.

Votes for schools provides explicit opportunities:

for speaking and listening through discussion of topics
to challenge concepts such as injustice, greed, poverty, stereotypes and discrimination
for children to reflect develop, adjust or alter their values and beliefs through open discussions
for healthy and respectful debate where all opinions and view points are heard
for children to be curious, informed and heard on current affairs nationally and globally
to actively engage in democracy each week and to learn about democratic issues in the context of current affairs

How will you know what your children are discussing and how they voted each week?

Every week in the 'Leigh Latest' newsletter there is a box which tells you what the weeks topic has been and what the result was from the prior week. On the school website (this page) you can find a curriculum guide for the weeks topic as well as a discussion sheet so you can carry on the learning at home should you wish to discuss the topic with your child. Scroll down to see some of the topics Leigh Pupils have been discussing.

Autumn Term 1 - Topics and assembly

Vote Topic

Headline Learning

Link to Curriculum Guide and Home Learning

Story

Assembly

(5 - 7) Will the lioness' win get more girls playing football?

(7-11) Will the lionesses' win create long-lasting change?

Headline Learning

Gender inequality/equality

Gender stereotypes

Cultural events

Discrimination

British Values

SMSC

Citizenship

What is Votes for Schools?

Why do we use it?

How will you know what your children are discussing and how they voted each week?

Autumn Term 1 - Topics and assembly

Spring Term - Topics and Assembly