British Values at St Gerard’s Catholic Primary School

Statement on British Values

 

The promotion of ‘British Values’ is central to Catholic education because British values have their origin in the Christian values of our nation. British values are considered by the present government to be those of Different Faiths and Beliefs.

At St Gerard’s School we recognise, not only the importance of helping pupils to develop academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Our aim is that they are fully prepared for life in in British society, to take their role as good citizens, able to make the best possible contribution to the common good. Within a framework of Catholic Christian Values, we teach the importance of British Values by going much deeper into the meaning of what it is to live a good life. This provides the context and meaning for understanding why British values are important.

Our framework for understanding British values draws on the example of Jesus and his welcome and inclusion of all, which is developed in Catholic Social Teaching. At St Gerard’s we provide an education which focuses on the formation of the whole person and on our vocation and purpose in life. We place a significant emphasis on the celebration of individuality and difference within our communities and our calling to work for the Common Good, in the service of others.

Our Catholic Ethos makes a tangible difference to the way we work together and with our wider communities. Within this framework it would be impossible to overlook the government’s view of British values expressed as ‘democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs’.

 

Democracy

Elections are held for school council representative in each class. This fosters the concept of freedom of speech and group action to address need and concerns. Within their classes, pupils are able to vote to make choices brought to them by these representatives.

Pupils explore the principle of democracy in age-appropriate assemblies. In our Remembrance assemblies and teaching, we recognised all those who fought and died in the World Wars to maintain and uphold our values.

The Rule of Law

The school has a clear behaviour policy and the highest standards of behaviour of both pupils and staff are lived out. The rights and responsibilities of every pupil are emphasised through our behaviour rules and through the use of Restorative Approaches to serious or protracted issues, which focus on the harm that has been done and on how it might be mended.

Our RE and PSHE curricular recognise and underline the importance of the ideas, feelings and needs of others. Assemblies emphasise that we are all equal under the law and that it is not only wrong, but illegal to discriminate against others on the basis of characteristics such as disability, gender, race or faith.

Visits from authorities such as the PCSO and Fire Service help to reinforce the message that our laws are for the protection of all.

We aim to ensure that our pupils have the knowledge and confidence to withstand attempts to radicalise them by alerting them to the intolerance that is inherent in all extremist viewpoints.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are encouraged to know and understand their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, e.g. through our E-Safety policy, PSHE curriculum and assemblies. Pupils are encouraged to exercise their right to free speech by articulating their views to their School Council Representatives. Pupils also use the ‘Worry Box’  in class to share concerns about issues, alerting school leaders and initiating a productive dialogue. Pupils know that adults take their concerns seriously, that they will listen and, where necessary, take action.

We aim to ensure that pupils know their rights, but also that they are aware of the responsibilities that they entail. Teachers and other staff endeavour to set clear, consistent boundaries so that pupils can make informed choices in a safe, secure and supportive environment. The Anti-bullying & Behaviour Policies are openly shared with every member of our community.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is at the heart of our faith: Jesus said, ‘Love on another as I have loved you.’ We recognise the need to value the unique contribution of each person in our school. We expect all members of our community to treat each other with respect, consideration and integrity. Pupils learn through their interactions with staff and each other, in the curriculum and assemblies that their behaviour has an impact on others. They  work collaboratively and are encouraged to listen to and value the opinions of others.

Pupils are encouraged to understand and reach out to communities who are less fortunate than themselves and each year raise significant amounts for charity, demonstrating their respect for those who live in very different circumstances to ours. Pupils are encouraged to organise their own fundraising events for charities that they wish to support.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

St Gerard’s School welcome pupils from all faiths or none. As we grow, our intake is becoming more ethnically and religiously diverse which is adding to the richness of our community.

Tolerance is emphasised through our RE and PSHE curriculum and our assemblies’ programme, which celebrates key dates and festivals of other faiths and gives pupils an understanding of the beliefs and customs that underpin them.

Pupils benefit from the opportunity of hearing about different communities and faith traditions in the UK and the world, and we encourage parents and others to share their culture and customs with the children.

We encourage pupils to understand their place within a culturally diverse society and above all to ensure that they our school with a set of values which will ensure they will contribute positively to society in the future.

 

The examples below are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British Values at St Gerard’s and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.

Democracy	Rule of Law	Individual Liberty	Mutual Respect	Tolerance of other faiths and beliefs
School council	A clear behaviour policy.	An inclusive mission and vision statement.		RE lessons which focus on tolerance.
Studying democracy in history lessons.	Class charter	Reinforcing high expectations of good manners and respect for others.		Study of other faiths in RE lessons.
Ensuring all pupils are listened to by adults.	Highlighting the rules of the church and God through the RE curriculum.	RE and PSHCE lessons which emphasise that every person is created in the image and likeness of God.		Visitors.