Democracy is embedded in school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern for 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 Council and regular questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Our school rules and Christian values are deeply embedded in our work every day. 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. Each year group has the responsibility to write and agree rules through the creation of our class charters. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. This includes classroom visits from the emergency services.

At St John’s, 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 the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our clubs, over-night residential visits, e-safety and SRE, P.S.H.E. lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record, or participation in our numerous extracurricular activities, all our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Respect is one of the core values of our school and it is deeply embedded in our class rules and 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. The school value of Respect at St John’s underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.

Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. St John’s School enhances pupils' understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies and P.S.H.E. work. Beliefs, traditions and customs will be studied in depth, with visitors being invited into our school to enrich and extend understanding. Through this, our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a multi-racial and diverse society.