British Values at St Augustine’s

 

At St  Augustine’s Catholic Primary School we take very seriously our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain. The promotion of ‘British values’ is central to Catholic education because British values have their origin in the Christian values of our nation. Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so that they can grow into secure, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.

 

We take every opportunity to promote these values, and to ensure our pupils:

  • Understand the democratic process and how citizens can have a say in decision making.
  • Recognise the advantages of living under the rule of law and how law is essential for a safe society.
  • Understand that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary and why it exists.
  • Understand that the freedom to hold varying faiths and beliefs, including no religious faith, is protected in law, and that it is vital to accept people who have different faiths and beliefs without discriminating against them in any way.
  • Value the importance of identifying and combatting extremism.

We ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. Our framework for understanding British values draws on the example of Christ and his welcome and inclusion of all, which is developed in Catholic Social Teaching.  All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, our RE, PSHE, Citizenship lessons and assemblies provide opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives. Our Catholic Ethos makes a tangible difference to the way we work together and with our wider communities. Within this framework it would be impossible to overlook the government’s view of British values of:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Democracy:

 UNCRC   Article 12 Every child has the right to be heard

                Article 2  Every child has the right to be treated equally and with respect

Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. Our Pupil Parliament represents the voice of the all children in our school by promoting your ideas, views and interests. All children have opportunity to complete questionnaires with which they are able to put forward their views about the school. Our democratic Pupil Parliament members includes Mini-Vinnies group, Chaplaincy Team, Rights and Respecting Team, School Council and our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.

At St Augustine’s Catholic primary we work hard to raise awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child across the entire school as part of our work as a Silver Unicef Rights Respecting school. Our Pupil Parliament groups meet regularly to discuss issues raised in school. Each year group has a representative who reports back from meetings they attend and we have a qualified Teacher Ambassador for the UK Parliament on our staff.

We actively promote democracy by:

  • Ensuring democratic values form an explicit part of the ethos of our school. All adults listen to the views of our children and value their opinions. Pupils have regular opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil surveys, regular meeting with the Senior Leadership Team.
  • Proactive contribution to class and school rules and guidance.
  • By promoting a broad knowledge and respect for public institutions and services, for example, visits to/from local Community Police, Fire Service, local councillors/MP.
  • Teaching children how they can influence decision making through the democratic process eg. Class discussions and debates, and questionnaires.
  • Encouraging pupils to become involved in decision making processes and ensuring they are listened to in school eg. open door policy for head and deputy, liaison between staff and pupils.
  • Organising visits to the Town Hall and to Parliament.
  • Teaching children how Public Services operate.
  • Modelling how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged eg. by teaching about inspirational figures such as, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King.

Rule of Law:

UNCRC   Article 19 Every child has the right to be protected from harm

               Article 1 Every child has the right to be treated equally and with respect

               Article 29 Every child has the right to an education

We have a clear behaviour policy with the highest standards of behaviour of both pupils and staff.

We actively promote the Rule of Law by:

  • Teaching children the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
  • Ensuring school rules are clear and fair and transparent, for example, through a consistently applied Behaviour & Discipline Policy across the school with children having a clear understanding of the system of rewards and sanctions, underpinned with clear focus on taking responsibility for their behaviour, supportive reflection time and areas to improve.
  • Through assemblies, classroom discussions, classroom rules and the school’s Behaviour & Discipline Policy, ensuring children understand the needs for laws, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequence when laws are broken.
  • Helping children to distinguish right from wrong, for example, by using the example of Christ and his teachings when dealing with behaviour that is not acceptable.
  • Helping children understand that justice is based on the Christian rule of forgiveness.
  • Promoting respect for the law and the basis on which it is made, for example, through visitors such as, local Councillor, Community Police Liaison Officer, Fire Service.
  • Helping children understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals, for example, through our RE curriculum, through focus weeks, visitors.

Individual Liberty:

UNCRC   Article 19 Every child has the right to be protected from harm

               Article 12 Every child has the right to be heard

               Article 2  Every child has the right to be treated equally and with respect

We actively promote and model individual liberty by:

  • Supporting pupils develop their self-confidence and self-esteem and become independent learners, for example, through our Catholic ethos, our way of treating and showing respect of each other, providing equality of opportunity, by knowing and understanding the needs of all pupils at the school, regardless of ability, gender, race, disability.
  • Encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour as well as understanding their rights, for example, in classroom discussions, classroom rules & codes of conduct and linking those rights with responsibilities, by having a fair and consistent Behaviour & Discipline Policy.
  • Challenging stereotypes – for example through classroom discussions, the RE and PSHE curriculum including workshops at school, assemblies and a robust and transparent anti bullying policy and culture in the school.
  • Pupils are encouraged to make choices, knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment. They are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and how to exercise these safely, for example, through our E-Safety and PSHE lesson.
  • Celebrating diversity – valuing different languages, cultural backgrounds and different gifts and talents.
  • Pupils are given the right to exercise these personal freedoms, for example, taking an active part in our school’s fundraising campaigns for charities – locally, nationally and globally, participating in local environmental campaigns, participation in a range of extra-curricular clubs and opportunities.

Mutual Respect:

UNCRC   Article 2  Every child has the right to be treated equally and with respect

               Article 29 Every child has the right to an education

As a UNICEF Rights Respecting School, mutual respect is at the heart of our ethos and values.

We actively promote and model mutual respect by:

  • Our Mission Statement, Ethos and School Policies that are based on Gospel values that show respect and tolerance for others and to live out Christ’s commandment “Love one another as I have loved you.”
  • Promoting respect for individual differences through our assemblies, RE curriculum and PSHE curriculum. Assemblies constantly promote respect for others.
  • All pupils are taught the importance of self-respect, honest and open communication with others and fair play. Pupils work collaboratively and value others’ opinions. Zones of regulation are used for children to identify and act upon emotions.
  • Play leaders and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors support playtimes.
  • Pupils are encouraged to understand and reach out to communities who are less fortunate than themselves and each year raise significant amounts for charity, demonstrating their respect for those who live in very different circumstances to ours.
  • Pupils are encouraged to organise their own fundraising events for charities that they wish to support.

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

UNCRC   Article 2  Every child has the right to be treated equally and with respect

               Article 14 Every child has the right to practice their own religion

               Article 30 Every child has the right to practice their own culture

We actively promote and model tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:

  • As a Catholic worshipping community, pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. This is achieved through our RE curriculum and the spiritual life of the school. Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.
  • Helping children to acquire an understanding of and respect for their own and other cultures and ways of life for example, through a whole school commitment to the teaching of knowledge and understanding of other faiths – including Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam with an indepth study of Judaism across ALL primary classes. This is supported by visitors, presentations, workshops on key aspects of the faith alongside a range of ‘hands on’ resources. Including Assemblies, RE Curriculum ‘Other Faiths’, Geography, International links for example ‘International Week’ , educational visits and visitors to school, for example Black History Month, PSHE workshops.
  • Organising presentations and visits to other places of worship.
  • Openly discussing and celebrating the differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender and different family situations.