British Values
Promoting British Values at
The Federated Catholic Schools of the Waveney Valley.
School and British Values
Our School Values
Our school values which are rooted in the Gospel Values and virtues, help us to live and learn in harmony together. They are the foundation of our safe and caring school which is committed to learning and working together. They also underpin our work as a Rights Respecting School where we ensure there is equality, respect, non-discrimination and participation.
As a school, we have an overview for our collective worship which include key virtues, a focus on the Gospel values interlinked with British values. Children are given the opportunity to enter into discussion and reflections daily. Please see below for the collective worship overview.
British Values
As well as promoting our core school values within school, we also promote the following fundamental British values: Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual liberty, Mutual respect and Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We reinforce these values through collective worship and regularly throughout school in the following ways:
Democracy
Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard in school. Before each topic, teachers promote an enquiry approach to learning and this is evidenced on the medium term plans. The school also carries out regular questionnaires with the pupils to ascertain their thoughts and feelings about our school. The findings are shared with staff and Governors and form part of the school's self evaluation and future planning. School councilors are elected democratically, voting in each class at the beginning of each year and they make key decisions about school improvement. Pupils can also nominate their class mates to go on the Recognition Boards in class. Each week children are voted for the 'Heart of Gold' award, based on the values they have displayed. We have had opportunities for local MPs to visit the school as well as visits to the Housed of Parliament.
Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those in class, the school or the country are reinforced in school regularly through the SMSC curriculum and whole school assembly. Across the school and the EYFS, there is a clear code of conduct with rules agreed by the pupils: READY - RESPECT - SAFE. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind school rules and national laws that protect us, look after us and govern us. We discuss with the children and make clear the consequences when rules in school and laws of the land are broken. We arrange visitors to speak with the children such as the Police to discuss road safety, Bikeability, Crucial Crew, Fire safety and the NSPCC.
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 safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.
Mutual Respect
Part of our school ethos and positive restorative behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as respect. Our values are reflected in our school rules, display, newsletters and website and in the curriculum where opportunities arise. Where pupils show good core values or mutual respect they may well be placed on the recognition board in class, receive a praise pad from their teacher or even a Headteacher award. House Captains remind children in their Houses of good core values of behaviour in school and towards others when visiting classrooms. In our assembly overview, we focus on the value of respect.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE, PSHE and SMSC teaching reinforces this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. We ensure that the texts we use in school have a wide cultural diversity.
