British Values
British Values…Gospel Values!
In 2013 the Department for Education reinforced
“Keeping our children safe and ensuring schools prepare them for life in modern Britain could not be more important. This change is an important step towards ensuring we have a strong legal basis for intervening in those schools where this is an issue. The vast majority of schools already promote British values. This is about making sure we have the tools we need to intervene if children are being let down.”
Schools are required to actively promote and not undermine “British Values”
The government has set out its definition of British Values as:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is a Catholic School which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ. We promote these values by our words and deeds, and Catholic doctrine and practice therefore permeates every aspect of the school's activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world. Catholic Religious Education is the "core of the core curriculum" (Pope St John Paul II) and the foundations of the entire educational process. We also provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities and strong pastoral support. We incorporate democratic principles, value and the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.
Pupils at St John Fisher School discussed how they think British Values are promoted at school. Here are their responses:
Democracy
Team Captains
Votes for class rewards
Votes for table names
Establishing class rules
Rule of Law
Being kind to others
Following school rules
Looking after school property
Treating people how we want to be treated
Not speaking when someone else is speaking
Not answering back
Liberty
Free speech
The right to go to school
The right to show our feelings
Free from bullying
The right to voice our opinions
Free from abuse
The right to be independent
Able to show who we really are
Free from being disturbed/distracted
Free to express our talents
Mutual Respect
Eye contact
Helping those in need
Looking after our property/others
Asked to do jobs or favours
Taking care of others
Helping teachers by concentrating on our work
Being calm
Making sure everyone is involved
Making sure everyone is safe