British Values

Promoting British Values and Catholic Values Statement

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reinforced by the DfE in 2014: “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on 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.”

British Values in St Robert’s Catholic Primary School

St Robert’s is a Catholic school which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ; we promote these values by our words and deeds.  Therefore, Catholic doctrine and practice permeates every aspect of our school’s activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world. We also provide a wide range of extra- curricular activities and strong pastoral support. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.

We teach the importance of British Values by going much deeper into the meaning of what it means to live a good life, within a framework of Catholic Christian Values.

At St Robert’s these values are reinforced regularly and promoted in the following ways:

Democracy

• Student School Council and voting in competitions e.g. extreme reading, wall mural design
• Highlighting and discussing democratic ideas in subjects including History,  RE and PSHCE lessons
• Ensuring all pupils are listened to by adults
• Inviting visitors and speakers to the school e.g. MP, Mayor, councillors
• Child led Acts of Worship including daily mission
• Pupil questionnaire

The Rule of Law

• Clear Behaviour Policy that is explained to all
• Organising visits from the police service to reinforce the message of right and wrong and that laws are needed to govern and protect us
• Highlighting the rules of the Church and God in the RE curriculum
• Teaching about the development of the Rule of Law in England and justice in the British legal system
• Teach pupils the importance of personal responsibility and the need for justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, following the teachings of Jesus Christ 
• Our School Golden Rules

Individual Liberty

• Encourage students to be independent in their learning
• Provide pupils with opportunities for reflection on how they live their lives in Christ
• Educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education
• Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms responsibly

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

• Having an inclusive Mission Statement
• Constantly promoting respect for others as good manners
• Reinforcing the value of everyone’s contributions in class discussions/debates
• Having an effective Anti-Bullying Policy
• Emphasising in RE and PSHCE lessons that every person is unique and “created in the image of God”
• Having active educational links with other schools
• Supporting charitable works
• To foster in pupils and the school community compassion when dealing with others
• Our RE provides pupils with a deep understanding of their own faith as well as awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities as a basis for understanding and respecting them
• Show the children how Jesus encouraged tolerance through learning about the parables and the Gospel stories
• Actively challenging pupils and adults in school who express opinions contrary to fundamental British values and Catholic virtues

Outcomes

We will equip young people to make a positive contribution, to care for and contribute to the community, to understand human rights and gain an international perspective of their world. We will develop responsible young citizens who support cohesion. This policy will make a key contribution to the school’s positive ethos. This policy should be viewed in conjunction with the school’s other policies especially the Race and Equality Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy, Behaviour Policy and Community Cohesion Policy.