British Values
The DfE have reinforced the need “to 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.” At St Joseph’s Primary School, these values are reinforced in the following ways:
How are British Values embedded into St Joseph’s?
SMSC and British Values are the foundations of our curriculum. This poster is displayed throughout our school and pupils are able to highlight where these areas are being taught within the whole curriculum, including PSHE. They closely link with our Catholic Values of Love, Honesty, Trust, Respect and Friendship. These values are displayed in a Value rainbow in our cloakrooms. Pupils in KS2 relate all learning in PSHE lessons to these values.
British Values mapping
British Values are mapped on long term plans across the year. They are addressed within KS2 Collective Worships, throughout the year. Alongside our British Values, Virtues are taught throughout the year, within our Catholic education.
Democracy
Our pupils are taught that everyone has equal rights and represented when we vote. This is taught through:
- School Council and Head Girl/Boy voting - The election of the School Council members reflects our British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action: candidates make speeches, pupils consider characteristics important for an elected representative, pupils vote in secret using ballot boxes etc. Made up of two representatives from each year group (Years 1 to 6), the School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school; in the past, the School Council has planned the playground markings and chosen charities to support.
- Discussing government and daily news through Newsround/Picture News
- Daily decisions in and around school being voted on
- Visit to parliament for KS2 pupils
- Pupil Questionnaires which provide the school leadership with analysis of how the children feel about school
- Children chose various charities and fundraising events
- Pupils are always 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. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils
Rule of Law
Our pupils are taught to know that we are ruled by the same laws and rules. This is taught through:
- School based rules - We have a clearly structured behaviour policy which all stakeholders understand and follow.
- Class based rules - Children agree their rules and the rights associated with these; all children contribute to this
- PSHE Class Charters to ensure a safe learning space within lessons/assemblies
- Visits from authorities such as Fire/Police
- We review behaviour incidents in school
Individual Liberty
Our pupils are taught to know they have the freedom to choose:
- A choice of clubs and extra-curricular activities
- Children throughout school have different roles and responsibilities, that they can choose to do e.g. Playground Leaders, Mental Health Champions, Maths Monitors, Computing Ambassadors
- They are also advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons.
Respect
St. Joseph’s is a Catholic school with the majority of children from a white British background. We have a growing number of children with Polish heritage and actively use school resources to promote their learning and integration into our school society. It is therefore important that we reach out to other schools and communities to help educate our children in the different beliefs and faiths of others. As a Catholic School, based upon the Gospel Values, mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Our pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community should treat each other with respect.
Respect is also taught through:
- The Class 5 Catholic value is Respect
- Assemblies
- Year 5/6 children have a Class 1 buddy
Tolerance
Our pupils are taught to accept others who are different e.g. by faith, race of belief etc. This is taught through:
- A diverse collection of books in our libraries
- Our Literacy/History curriculum acknowledging diversity
- Visits to other religious settings - pupils visit a variety of places of worship to learn about world religions, faiths and cultures; including Sikhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam.
- Faith weeks in school
- Themed weeks/months in school e.g. Black History Month and Anti-Bullying Week
- Assemblies, liturgy and prayer are regularly planned to celebrate and enjoy learning about the differences in countries and cultures around the world.
- Use of Newsround and Picture News to develop children’s awareness of other cultures/beliefs
Twinning with St. Phillip's 2022-23
Class 3 are once again taking part in a twinning project organised by Building Bridges. As part of the project the children from St. Phillip's and St. Joseph's will meet to find out more about their respective schools.
