British Values

The DfE has reinforced their guidance given to schools to ‘actively’ 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, through their provision of the SMSC curriculum. (November 2014).

At St Helen’s Catholic Primary School, we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum.

Learning about British values forms a key part of children’s spiritual, moral, cultural and social education. The five British values that the Government has identified for schools to focus on are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
• Developing personal and social responsibility
• Respect for British Institutions

To do this our children will;

• Develop an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process and encourage participation in that process.
• Show an understanding of right and wrong, and respect for the law while encouraging them to take responsibility for their behaviour.
• Be encouraged to show respect for the public services and institutions of Britain.
• Develop their self-confidence and self-esteem and be encouraged to become involved in the community and wider society.

• Develop an acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour.
• Show an understanding of the importance or identifying and combating discrimination.

At St Helen’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to actively promote British values in the following ways:

Democracy

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at St Helen’s Catholic Primary School. Democracy is central to how we operate.

The principle of democracy is explored in the History and RE curriculum as well as in assemblies and during dedicated ‘Curriculum Enhancement Days’.

Children are listened to and are taught to listen carefully to others. Children are taught to respect the right of individuals to have their voices and opinions heard. They are taught to discuss issues in a balanced and calm way.

Each year, during transition activities, the children review the school rules to ensure that they are still relevant. Pupils also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires.

An obvious example is our School Council. The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret. Made up of representatives from each class, the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. In the past, the School Council has led fundraising activities and helped to provide equipment for our school grounds as selected by the children.  

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines, principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. These rules play a fundamental role in our behaviour sanctions and rewards and are linked to our Credits System. The rules are reviewed by School Council and they take responsibility in promoting expected behaviour.

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken. These values are reinforced in different ways:

• Visits from authorities such as the fire service as well as Year 6 visit to Crucial Crew where children learn about becoming safe and law-abiding citizens.
• Cycling Proficiency lessons enable children to understand the rules of the road and the potential dangers encountered should they break those rules.
• During Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about.
• During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules.

Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong and can confidently discuss what is appropriate and inappropriate behaviour. They are encouraged to discuss poor decisions and the consequences of these decisions, as well as discussing what they can do in future to ensure they are making the correct choices.

Pupils are helped to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals. The school has zero-tolerance for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents/carers.

We are committed to praising children’s efforts. Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but also for behaviour. Rewards are given in the form of stickers, credits and certificates. Children’s achievements are also recognised during Celebration Assemblies.

Individual Liberty

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely.

Collective worship is used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the children how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to:

• Be effective and successful learners
• Make and sustain friendships
• Deal with and resolve conflict evenly and fairly
• Solve problems with others by themselves
• Manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger or anxiety
• Be able to promote calm and optimistic states that promote the achievement of goals
• Recover from setbacks and persist in the face of difficulties
• Work and play cooperatively
• Compete fairly and win or lose with dignity and respect for all competitors
• Recognise and stand up for their rights and the rights of others
• Understand the value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own.
• To respect and value our world, and the things, both material and alive that exist within it.

Children at St Helen’s are encouraged to make choices knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment. There is a strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school.

Mutual respect

Respect is one of the core values of our school. This can be seen and felt in our pervading ethos in school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small.

Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, such as looked after children or young carers.

We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Children and staff are polite and kind. We believe everyone has their own special gifts and we are expected to use them.

We listen and respect each other. We teach the children that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally.

We celebrate each other’s achievements whether that be in or out of school through our weekly Celebration Assemblies.

Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs

St Helen’s Catholic Primary are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and RE curriculum.

Our central aim to 'Prepare children for the future' drives us towards ensuring that our pupils are able to live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where due to technological advances will make the 'world a smaller place.'

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.

We aim to enhance pupils’ understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs through Religious Education, PSHE and other lessons where we develop awareness and appreciation of other cultures. We also work in lessons such as literacy, topic, art and music by considering cultures from other parts of the world. Another way of celebrating cultural differences is through assemblies and themed days.

Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.