Dignity of Workers

At our school, we teach that everyone who works deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. This is what we call the 'Dignity of the Worker'. It means that we teach that every job is important, whether you're a teacher, a doctor, a farmer, or a cleaner. We should respect everyone's work. We teach that it's imporant to be treated fairly, be paid fairly and have safe working conditions.

Most importantly, we teach that you should always treat people with kindness and fairness, no matter what job they do. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect

ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

The concept of 'Dignity for Workers' features in a number of curriculum areas and of school life. This starts in Early Years, where children are taught about the jobs people have specifically to look after them. Then, in PSHE and Citizenship, children are introduced to the idea of 'Dignity' via units such as 'Human Rights' and 'Rights of a Child'. These are explore futher, when a focus Economic Wellbeing looks at the importance of 'work' in a person's wellbeing and dignity. Units such as 'Saving & Spending', Money and Emotions' and 'Looking After Money' help children understand the importance of caring for what is eared, while units such as 'Jobs', 'What Jobs are Available' and 'Influences on Career Choices' help children understand the breadth of work and that each career has its own dignity at the centre.

Fair Trade is used to exemplify the need for fairness in the world of work, but other examples include the importance of treating public service workers with respect.

In History and Geography, the children explore social justice and teamwork activities, children learn to value different forms of work and the importance of treating all workers with dignity. History and geography lessons highlight social justice and the diversity of workers.

We ensure that children are exposed to the stories and insights from real jobs, undertaken by people they know and are familiar to them: doctors, lawyers, bus drivers, nurses, marketing executives and town planners are just come of the jobs that the children have had a chance to encounter during our 'Aspirations Week' celebrations.

Watch the slideshow used to introduce the children to this strand (press pause any time):

WHAT DO WE WANT TO BE WHEN WE GROW UP?

Well, we can be anything, but...at this moment in time, after a great discussion, our 'Human Bar Chart' tells us that we have a fantastic cohort of creative and artistic children that looking to take on the arts! Closely followed by our aspiring sports stars, business entreprenures, tradespeople, technologists and public servants. We even had a couple of environmentalists! A fantastic way to explore the work of work, the range of job opportunity and the important point that EACH AND EVERY ONE deserves dignity and can, in turn, give us our own wellbeing and dignity. The future's bright!

ASPIRATIONS FOR ALL

EXPLORING WORK AND ECONOMICS - THE FIVER CHALLENGE

Can you start a business (and make a profit) with just £5 to start? The simple answer is 'yes', but the longer answer involves planning, creativity, ideas, production, manufacuring, budgeting, procurement, marketing, sales and...a load of other things!

But, our children rose to the challenge and created a range of business, from car washing to lemonade stalls, and they all made a priofit. A hands-on, satisfying way for them to feel the dignity doing a job well can bring!