Our vision and values
Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.
Promoting British Values at St James’ Catholic Primary School
We belong to the loving family of St James’.
At St James’ Catholic Primary School we uphold and teach pupils about British Values as directed under new Ofsted guidance, September 2014:
‘ensure that they and the school promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), cultures and lifestyles; and support and help, through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community, to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain’
We ensure that through our school vision, ethos, agreed rules, curriculum and teaching we promote respect and tolerance for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles. As educators we have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe. We value the importance of and support the current Ofsted guidance.
The promotion of modern British values and democracy is clearly evident within our school through the following:
Democracy
Democracy is an essential part of our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard at all levels. These include:
· Assemblies and collective worship where we teach respect for all, right and wrong, tolerance and differences and respecting and following the law.
· Religious Education lessons which teach the children about other faiths as well as their own.
· St James' Pupil Parliament, SHARES Pupil Parliament, WLSP School Sports Council provide a democratic system of voting and providing a "voice" for all pupils.
· Our School Mission Statement which outlines our commitment to tolerance, respect, celebration of differences.
· Our School Rules, Whole Behaviour & Anti-Bullying Policies.
· Personal, Health and Social Education (PSHEE) in our school.
· Close links within our parish, community and charity work.
· Pupil questionnaires.
· Our Buddy System.
Our History lessons which show how our British history has also helped to shape the modern Britain of today and the modern British values of our society.
The 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 from the earliest age, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; Fire Service; Ambulance etc. are parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and secure environment. As a school community we educate and provide boundaries for young learners to make choices safely, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. We actively use the curriculum and extra-curricular activities to promote this. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. 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
Part of our school ethos and mission statement is centred around values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions related to what this means and how it is shown. We have a cycle of themes within PSHE. Respect for others is reiterated through our classroom rules, as well as our whole school behaviour policy.
Acceptance of those of Different 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 other faiths weeks. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying is supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
