At St Catherine’s, all that we do is centred around our Mission Statement.                                                            

We understand British Values to be as follows:

 

                                                                “Democracy, Law, Liberty, Respect and Tolerance”

 

The British Values, and our commitment to them, are witnessed in the following ways throughout the academic year:

Democracy

Our children are given opportunities to hold positions of responsibility.  They take part in votes and feel empowered in their school life.  Children from Y5 represent the school in our Deanery Council with many more participating in Deanery events.  Visits take place annually to the local Council Chambers where debates are held on shared issues.  Children are taught the skills of debate and presentation of opposing views in KS2 as part of the English Curriculum.

Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies.  Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Pupils have opportunities within the curriculum to learn more about the laws that are part of everyday life. The following also help reinforce the core messages:

• Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, etc. are regular features of our calendar.
• Year 6 learn the rules of the road and road safety through ‘Bikeability’.
• Online safety and rules around internet usage play an important part of our Computing curriculum.

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 through our EPR lessons and wider curriculum.  Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Within our school there is a clear expectation by all staff and children to treat each other with respect.  This is frequently praised when our children go on school trips and tournaments and when we have visitors to our school.

Our Mission Statement and all core policies clearly reflect our expectations around respect and the treatment of others.

Tolerance of Other 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 RE and EPR.

Christianity underpins our RE teaching through the ‘Come and See’ curriculum.  We look at other faiths through our RE curriculum.

Our support for CAFOD helps our children to gain further insight into the different faiths and beliefs held by families around the world.