British Values
We are a Catholic school with Jesus Christ at the centre of all we do. We promote Christian values by our words and deeds, which is encapsulated by our Mission Statement:
As God’s family, we learn, love and laugh.
Together:
love one another, forgive one another,
work together, play together,
worship together, be happy together.
Here at St. Luke’s Catholic Primary School, our fundamental aim is to enable all children to fulfil their potential with Christ at the centre of all we do. This includes spiritual, moral, academic, emotional, social and creative development. We cater for each pupil’s needs, encouraging each to develop their talents and so achieve their personal goals. This enables our children to make a positive contribution to the wider community and following Gospel Values, ensuring that they are fully prepared for life in British society and for their role as citizens.
Our framework for understanding British values and what it means to live a good life is rooted within Catholic doctrine and practice, permeating every aspect of the school’s activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Gen 1:27). Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world.
In our school, Catholic Religious Education is the “core of the core curriculum” (Pope St John Paul II) and the foundation of the education we provide for pupils. We provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities and strong pastoral support. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.
Democracy
• Pupils elect an active School Council each September
• Debating sessions are a key part of the English curriculum
• The development of democratic ideas is highlighted in history lessons through studying the Roman Empire in Britain in Year 4 and how civilisation learnt from it/democratic ideas started to develop
• Pupils are allowed to vote for their Junior Leadership Team
• We ensure that all pupils are listened to by adults through pupil voice questionnaires. (“Adults know pupils very well and this does much to ensure that each pupil is safe, happy and well motivated to learn.” OFSTED 2009)
• Our local MP, Mike Amesbury, visits school during UK Parliament Week to talk about his role within the local and national community
• Y4 have presented at a local council meeting to ask for funding towards a bicycle rack
• Mock elections are held in KS2 on the day of General Elections and KS1 hold a “What is the General Election?” assembly
The Rule of Law
• Classes create their own class rules which are displayed and used
• We have a clear behaviour policy which is explained to all (“Your behaviour is outstanding and you look after each other extremely well.” OFSTED 2009)
• Regular visits from the fire service and our local PCSO Neil are organised to reinforce the message of right and wrong
• The rules of the Church and God, for example the 10 Commandments and the Precepts of the Church Taught, are highlighted through our RE scheme, The Way, the Truth and the Life, and practised in school
• We teach about the development of the Rule of Law in English Law, a legal system created uniquely in a Catholic England, inspired by Christian values and becoming a major influence across the world through cross-curricular War topic
Individual Liberty
• Through our creative curriculum, we encourage all children to be independent learners and thinkers
• Pupils are provided with opportunities for reflection as they take responsibility to discerning their vocation through daily acts of Collective Worship (led by pupils), Year 6 buddy system with FS2, Mini Vinnies and CAFOD group
Mutual Respect
• Our inclusive mission statement was devised by staff, pupils, parents and governors in 2008 and is reviewed every year
• We constantly promote respect via good manners (“Pupils…respect each other's individual feelings.” OFSTED 2009)
• The value of everyone’s opinions is reinforced in class debates
• We have an effective anti-bullying policy
• Running through the core of our curriculum, we emphasise that every person is unique and “created in the image of God”
• Educational links with other local primary schools (G+T days, music collaborations, sports activities) and feeder high schools (Footsqueak, Big Sings) are active
• We support charitable works where pupils devise their own fundraising for CAFOD and Mini Vinnies
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
• We highlight how 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 by visiting Frodsham Community Church for the Christmas and Easter Journeys and St. Laurence’s Church for local links.
• We show how Jesus encouraged tolerance in stories such as The Good Samaritan and The Women at the Well through our RE scheme.
See the file below to see how we promote British Values.
Click the image below to see more pictures from our POP assembly on British Values
Each year, Year 6 visit the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street as part of our British Values curriculum. They watch a debate in the House of Commons and tour Parliament including the Grand Lobby, St George's Hall and the House of Commons. Click the image below to see more pics.
