At St Wulstan’s and St Edmund’s Catholic Academy, we uphold and teach pupils about British values as directed under Ofsted guidance, September 2014, which states that schools should “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.” 

Our commitment to a community rooted in love, tolerance, respect and celebration of differences, flows from our School Mission Statement:

 ‘As God’s Children, we touch the lives of other through our thoughts, words and actions’

Intent

• To enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• To enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of Britain;
• To encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
• To enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in Britain;
• To further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
• To encourage respect for other people;
• To encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in Britain.

Implementation & Impact

The five Fundamental British Values are explicitly taught using the British Values hand.

They are taught and followed in the following ways:

Democracy

An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.

Democratic values are an explicit part of the ethos at St Wulstan's and St Edmund's. All adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions. Pupils are placed in Houses and have the opportunity to vote at different times of the year for different purposes. They have further opportunities to have their voices heard through daily discussions in class across the curriculum and pupils hold positions of responsibility within the school such as Prefects, House Captains and the Fairtrade Group. Older pupils are able to vote for the Super Citizen of their class on a weekly basis. This is presented in our whole school assembly. Staff are able to discuss issues at all levels, offer advice and have their opinion and ideas heard.

The Rule of Law

An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety.

The importance of laws and rules are consistently reinforced in the classroom, as well as through school assemblies and Prayer and Liturgy. Children are taught to understand that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence. Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws - that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Pupils follow a positive behaviour policy and clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used. Prefects and House Captains help to supervise behaviour. Class rules are followed and displayed in each class. Whole school assemblies and discussions in class focus on recognising right from wrong, using the Gospel teachings of Jesus to strength their understanding of the 10 Commandments and the question: What would Jesus do? to discuss actions and consequences. Visits from the community PCSO, fire service, Armed Forces and local councillors help to reinforce these messages.

Individual Liberty

An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.

Pupils are actively encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. We encourage students to see themselves as unique individuals able to make a unique contribution to our community whilst developing their self-esteem and self-confidence. All pupils are encouraged to participate in all school activities and challenge themselves to become resilient learners.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely, for example through our exploration of E-Safety. All pupils are keen to support charities, whether local, national or globally. They are taught consideration for others in particular through our RE and PSHE and RSHE Curricular. Pupils are able to access Nurture Provision if necessary to support their emotional wellbeing.

Mutual Respect

An understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

Our school’s ethos and behaviour policy are based on Gospel values and our mission,  ‘As God’s Children, we touch the lives of other through our thoughts, words and actions’ is central to inclusivity. We promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning environments as well as extra-curricular activities such as sporting activities. We uphold a positive reputation of demonstrating sporting etiquette within in the school environment and when representing the school in the community. We reinforce the value of everyone’s opinions in class debates and 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. Our effective Anti – Bullying and e-Safety policies underpin the importance of mutual respect. We pride ourselves of our strong relationships our parish, other schools and local care and residential homes.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.

As a Catholic Academy, pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse country. This is achieved through our Religious Education 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. It is an abiding expectation that all members of the school’s community demonstrate a respectful attitude at all times. Reception children begin to develop their understanding of others through the planned learning opportunities within the ‘prime’ areas of ‘Understanding the World’ and ‘Personal, Social and Emotional Development’. Discussions, assemblies, team games in PE and PSHE lessons across the School help to reinforce this message. Bullying is not tolerated and pupils are taught about the different types of bullying, why they might occur and discuss possible strategies for dealing with incidents should they witness any.

Religious Education provides pupils with a deep understanding of their own faith as well as awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities as a basis for understanding and respecting them.  Our curriculum follows the teaching of the Church in providing a broad and balanced education, which includes an understanding of and respect for people of other faiths or none and other religions, cultures and lifestyles. Recognising and celebrating that we live in a culturally diverse society. Visitors from different faiths are invited to speak at assemblies.

Written: May 2020

Reviewed: Nov 2022

To be reviewed: Nov 2024