British Values

Our aim at St Catherine’s is to encourage pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in Britain.

We actively promote the fundamental British Values and this forms part of our wider work in school with children in relation to their Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC).

The British Values, as defined by the Government, are :

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of different Faiths and Beliefs

We teach a broad and balanced curriculum that teaches elements of democracy, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, values and virtues, environmental awareness and understanding of different faiths. Actively promoting British Values also refers to challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values. At S Catherine’s, values of tolerance and respect permeate all areas of school life. This creates a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and therefore allows them to learn and develop. Pupil voice plays an integral part in driving the school forward.

These British Values are promoted throughout the curriculum, across the whole school. They are also seen in the school ethos, policies, assemblies, special events and cultural celebrations. The following are a selection of activities that are evidence of our commitment to British Values.

We teach children about Democracy through:

• Children being involved in democratic processes e.g. nominating/ voting pupils for awards,
• Junior Leadership Team
• Farm Rangers
• Check in/ check out – discussing issues and forming opinions

We teach children about Rule of Law through:

• School behaviour policy
• Assemblies on the Four Golden Rules
• Golden rules regularly made reference to throughout each class and the school
• Reflecting of behaviour and learning during lessons
• Visits from Police

We teach children about Individual Liberty through:

• Understanding responsibility in school in terms of behaviour and learning attitudes
• Pupil roles in school – monitors/ helpers
• School values
• Local and national fundraising
• Community links – Sunshine Club, food bank
• Assembly – JLT/ people who help us
• Restorative practise
• Challenging stereotyping and bias and actively promoting equality
• Anti-bullying
• Sports values

We teach children about Mutual Respect through:

• Religious Education Curriculum
• PSHE curriculum and collective worships (You Me PSHE)
• Positive relationships encouraged and modelled
• Inclusive ethos
• Anti-bullying assembly
• Junior Leadership Team
• Sports Day
• Annual Community Week
• Trips – wider community
• Visitors
• Peer assessment
• Collaboration with other schools – St Michael’s
• Restorative practise
• Golden Rules
• PE values

We teach children about Tolerance through:

• Links with other schools
• Assemblies – stories from world faiths and cultures
• RE curriculum
• Reflection opportunities in assemblies
• School curriculum
• Inclusive school
• Special assemblies – Harvest, Remembrance Day
• PSHE
• Restorative practise
• Golden rules