How we live the British Values
British Values form the basis of whole school assemblies as part of our ongoing exploration of our School Values - faith, hope, love and learning and our school motto of One Heart, One Voice.
These values are also taught as we explore our Gospel Values through our Religious Education programme; Come and See/To know You more clearly, personal development and visits or visitors throughout the year. Children also have regular opportunities to explore them further through Collective Worship. We also host a variety of school events and celebrations throughout the year which enhance our pupils' learning and experiences.
Other ways in which we live the British Values at St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School are as follows:
Democracy
Pupils are listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.
Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires / interviews.
- The elections of the School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
- Focussed activities based around local and global events in a range of classes, including debates.
- Chances to vote for outcomes in their classes e.g. storytime choice etc.
The rule of law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour.
School rules are clearly displayed throughout school and consistently applied, with a clear progression of rewards and consequences.
Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, etc. are regular parts of our calendar and help to reinforce that importance of laws to govern and protect us.
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 our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. This is supported by working with:
- NSPCC, PCSO, fire brigade, school nurse session
- “Pants” sessions delivered by all class teachers
- Personal aspiration focus as part of the School Mission Day
- Worry Monsters for each class to support sharing and supporting personal issues that children face
Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example:
- Online-safety lessons and ongoing focus during computing lessons.
Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities, our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual respect
All members of the school community treat each other with respect and pupils understand that respect needs to be shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have.
This is reiterated through our School Mission Statement – children, parents, staff and Governors were involved in reviewing and writing this.
- Annually we revisit the Mission Statement and provide children with a range of opportunities to discuss and explore this
Respect for others is reiterated through:
- Our school rules,
- Behaviour policy.
This value underpins our work every day, both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of those with 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.
Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in Come and See and PSHE. We use stories to engage our pupils in discussion and activities based on British Values and equalities.
The Come and See programme provides two opportunities throughout the year to explore the beliefs of other faiths and religions, which include Judaism, Hinduism and Islam, and to explore the similarities to Christianity as well as the differences.
- Visits to places of worship
- Visitors from faith communities
- Work focussed on global charities such as CAFOD
- Work focused on local charities such as St Joseph's Centre and Warrington Food Bank when fundrasising
Other class topics provide opportunities to learn about different cultures.