St. Winefride's Catholic Primary School
British Values Statement
Preparing for Life in Modern Britain
Guidance produced by the Department of Education (November 2014) stated that all schools have a duty to ‘actively 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 Winefride’s Catholic Primary School, we actively promote these British values through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education which permeates throughout our curriculum and school experience, supporting the development of the whole child.
The following ‘British values’ have been identified by the Department of Education.
Rule of Law
We involve pupils in setting codes of behaviour; helping pupils to make decisions and choices that are acceptable to the school community and society at large.
Pupils are helped to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. We can help some pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.
Individual Liberty
Pupils are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. We do this by supporting each pupil to become as independent as possible. This can be roles within the classroom, or positions such as ‘Beacon of Lights’ Buddies, Play Leader Assistants, Liturgical Leaders, Student Councillors, Road Safety Officers. We support others by participating in charitable events such as, Young Minds, MacMillan Coffee Morning, SVP work with the local food bank, Autism Awareness, Down Syndrome Day. We believe that creating and sustaining a caring, loving, and supportive environment, and encouraging our pupils to be independent, can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem. Our Shine Assemblies celebrate the expression of individual talents and successes within the community which supports self esteem and inspires others.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of our school core values and all relationships are founded and nurtured through a deep respect. Within school, pupils work with a range of people and interactions with others are always positively promoted on a personalised basis for each individual. This may include working with teaching assistants, coaches, theatre groups, sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools in the partnership.
We believe it is important to facilitate opportunities to be part of the community as the pupils, families and staff have much to offer in the development of community cohesion.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
We are part of a school and local community where each person is respected and valued equally, as a unique gift from God and is treated fairly and without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.
Cultural appreciation and development forms part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others. This can be seen through whole school events to the theatre, school trips, speakers coming into school (Open the Book, B tales, Bromborough Bible Exhibition) and much more.
Pupils and staff spend time in prayer, research, and skills application through our annual exploRE week. The week sees a whole school immersion in World Faiths through the lens of Art.
Whole school Liturgical Prayer helps all pupils to find out about themselves and others linking their lives to the faith community in which they belong. Our time of prayer is rooted in the Gospel reading for that week and through time together, we discuss themes such as friendships, helping others and celebrations from a range of faiths and world events.
Pupils are encouraged to experience British culture through our curriculum themes and educational visits. For example, pupils have visited many local places. As a school, we take part in many sporting activities which develop collaborative and respectful social skills. This is at a community level and beyond to district and county level.
Staff work closely with parents, carers, and other professionals to ensure that the pupils at St Winefride’s Catholic Primary School are happy, well cared for and enabled to learn the skills they need to live a fulfilling life.