Live, Learn, Love.
The DFE has reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation for all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’
At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure our pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility which will prepare them for life in modern Britain. We would like to share with our parents how we promote these values.
Democracy
The school values the pupils’ voice so we ask them about their learning, their concerns and for their ideas about how we can make things better for them. We do this by using pupil questionnaires and through our School Council. At the start of each year, pupils vote for their class representatives through an election process.
The Rule of Law
The pupils understand the school rules and what happens if these rules are broken. At the start of each year, classes discuss class rules and agree a charter to abide by. During lessons and assemblies pupils learn about the importance of having rules and how these relate to laws. We use a range of resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils. Our pupils have a well-developed sense of justice. They understand and are able to discuss why there needs to be consequences for those who break the rules or laws. By being immersed in the ethos of the school, our pupils learn about their responsibility to be law abiding citizens.
Individual Liberty
Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our pupil’s, to make choices safely; for example:
Our behaviour policy is built on the principle that pupils are responsible for their own actions and choices and that these have consequences. The school sanctions system provides reflection time where pupils are able to think about the impact of their choices. The Pastoral Care team also run daily drop-in surgeries for pupils to freely come in from break to discuss anything which may be concerning them. During e-Safety lessons and Assemblies, pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe whilst they exercise their rights and personal freedoms. Safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of life at the school.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Our ethos at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is based on care, mutual respect and good manners. Adults actively model respect with one another – and with the pupils – in how we speak to and treat one another. Our school is a diverse community and through the RE curriculum we promote an awareness of different faiths. We also encourage our pupils to recognise and understand these faiths. Our pupils naturally show tolerance for others and have a curiosity to find out and understand cultures and faiths that are different from their own. All staff model a tolerant and accepting attitude. We use assemblies to raise and discuss issues of bullying and prejudice and reinforce learning during curriculum time.
At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we will actively challenge pupils, parents or staff who express opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including extremist views.
British Values through the Curriculum
Interwoven within the curriculum in a range of curriculum areas are planned opportunities to teach the values of our society. Some examples are