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.

At St. Francis Catholic Primary School we are committed to serving our community and local area. In so doing, we reinforce British values regularly in many ways which include:

Democracy

We actively promote and model democracy by:

Providing our children with a broad knowledge of, and promotion & respect for, public institutions and services, e.g., visits to Parliament, MP visits into school, visits to/from Police, Hospitals, Fire Service, Local Councillors.

Teaching children how they can influence decision making through the democratic process, e.g., School council, Flip chart mind maps to share views and opinions, Pupil Voice, Chaplaincy Team, Eco Group, public speaking.

Encouraging pupils to become involved in decision making processes and ensuring they are listened to in school e.g. School Council, our open door policy, Pupil Voice, Chaplaincy Team, liaison between staff and pupils.

Modelling how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged e.g. by teaching about inspirational figures such as Ghandi, Mandela, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, petitions that promote equality, justice and the common good, charitable works locally, nationally and internationally.

Developing citizenship throughout our whole curriculum, especially linked to catholic Social Teaching.

Rule of Law

We actively promote and model the rule of law by:

Ensuring school rules are clear and fair and equitable, e.g., through our consistent behaviour policy.

Helping children to distinguish right from wrong e.g. by using the example of Christ and other examples in our daily lives.

Promoting respect for the law and the basis on which it is made e.g. through visitors such as PCSOs, Police, MPs into school.

Helping children to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals e.g., through our RE curriculum, through focus weeks e.g., Anti-bullying week, National Road Safety Week, visitors.

Having a behaviour policy that is linked to restorative justice e.g. that is based in the Christian value of forgiveness and compassion.

Individual Liberty

We actively promote and model individual liberty by:

Supporting pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence e.g., through our Catholic ethos, how we treat others, by continually investing in the needs of all our children, by providing equality of opportunity, by knowing and understanding the needs of all of our children.

Encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour as well as knowing their rights e.g. through linking rights with responsibilities, by having a fair and consistent behaviour policy.

Challenging stereotypes e.g. visitors into school, disability awareness, anti-bullying.

E-Safety teaching enabling children to make choices in a safe manner.

Ensuring a strong anti-bullying culture.

Voicing our views and signing petitions that promote equality and the common good.

Respect and Tolerance

We actively promote and model respect and tolerance by:

Promoting respect for individual differences e.g. through assemblies, collective worship and Masses, the RE curriculum, multicultural celebrations, teaching of other faiths, through our Catholic identity and mission.

Helping children to acquire an understanding of and respect for their own and other cultures and ways of life, e.g., through our Curriculum, CAFOD assemblies/workshops, Religious Education, teaching of other faiths throughout the year.

Our School Mission Statement which outlines our commitment to a community rooted in love, tolerance, respect and celebration of differences.

Preparation for later life in modern Britain

Providing our children with opportunities to prepare themselves for later life in Modern Britain. e.g., Charitable works and their organisations, Equality for all as a multi-cultural school.

“We are proud that Catholic schools promote values that are both Catholic and British, including: respect for the individual, democracy, individual liberty, respect, tolerance and inclusiveness. Our schools promote cohesion by serving more ethnically diverse and poorer communities. Catholic schools provide high standards of education which are popular with parents from all social, economic and faith backgrounds.”

Paul Barber (Catholic Education Service December 2014).