British Values
Promoting British Values at St. Anthony’s Catholic Primary School
The DfE have reinforced the need:
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.
First and foremost we recognise that our role as a Catholic school is to uphold our Catholic values and our mission statement that:
At St Anthony’s, we believe we are a community striving to live, love and learn together, joyfully following Jesus Christ
The Values we want everyone to show at St Anthony's are (click on each virtue for further details):
We use this as our basis for all that we do here and ensure British Values are entwined in this.
At St Anthony’s these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy:
Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. The children have the chance to elect a representative from each class that they feel will represent their classes views. The school council have been involved in purchasing Christmas gifts for those less fortunate than ourselves. They also play a part in staff recruitment. We also have Sports Ambassadors that are elected to represent classes. The Sports Ambassadors have had their say in the extra-curricular clubs they want and also in the purchase of PE equipment. Each term the winner of the class Core Values Award each term are based solely on pupil and staff votes.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police- JPCSO scheme; Fire Service; etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty:
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and circle time. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Another value target we have is ‘Making right choices’
Mutual Respect:
At the heart of our Gospel teachings from Jesus Christ is:
To love one another as I have loved you.
This is at the core of our school and we expect all to adhere to this teaching regardless of their background, faith, or race. Everyone is treated with respect in our school. Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Another value we promote is ensuring that we focus on ‘Manners and Politeness’ towards everyone in our school.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. One of our termly values is to celebrate ‘Uniqueness and Tolerance’. Through this each year group works on different cultures / faiths and has visitors or trips related to this. For example, children in Year 3 took part in a Hinduism workshop including learning Indian dancing and applying henna. We have had several visits from a Sikh parent, Mrs Sandhu who has taught the children about Diwali and will shortly be coming in again to talk about Holi. 3 pupils also attended a Holocaust service and respresented the school.
We also through our Remembrance week recognised all those who fought and died in World Wars to maintain and uphold our values.
