British Values | St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy

Our Fundamental British Values at St Mary’s

When teaching British Values at St Mary’s, we intend to provide a relevant and progressive curriculum which caters for the needs of all individuals. We also embed the fundamentals of British Values within our own Catholic Virtues. Through the teachings of the Bible and the morals behind these, the children can articulate and implement these British Values into their daily lives. Through purposeful links to the wider world and their own personal and social experiences, children are exposed to the core of British Values at St Mary’s.

We have designed a British Values Long Term Plan, which teachers use to plan British Values lessons at the start of each half term. These lessons are focused on a specific British Value and provides an opportunity to revisit and build on any prior-knowledge from the previous half term/year group or key stage. In addition, children are encouraged to be able to articulate how British Values are reflected in all aspects of school life, and beyond.

We use ‘Now Press Play’ – an audio resource which engages pupils in our British Values curriculum through sound, story, and movement. Specific learning experiences have been identified in our Long Term Plan which supports children to make connections between our Fundamental British Values and life beyond St Mary’s.

As well as discrete British Values lessons, we also provide opportunities for children to make connections to their learning through our PSHE and citizenship curriculum.

The Department for Education (DfE) published guidance in 2014 on promoting British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain.

We have used this guidance when considering our curriculum design and wider-opportunities for our children are St Mary’s:

‘Include, in suitable parts of the curriculum material. on the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries’…

‘Use opportunities such as general or local elections to hold mock elections to promote fundamental British values and provide pupils with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view.

At St Mary’s we make worldwide events such as: the General Election in UK and the election of President of the USA, accessible and real to the children within a school context. We hold mock elections based on these events, and share examples of manifestos. Due to the Catholic ethos of our school, we regularly compare and question the moral impacts that these decisions have.

‘Ensure all pupils within the school have a voice that is listened to, and demonstrate how democracy works by actively promoting democratic processes such as a school council whose members are voted for by the pupils.’

Throughout school life, children are provided with opportunities for responsibilities as they move through schools, such as: Head Boy and Girl, House Captains, RE Ambassadors, Pupil Chaplaincy, Playground Leaders, Reading Champions and Eco Warriors. All of these roles are decided through democratic votes – following the children delivering their own persuasive speeches in an MP style. There is also consideration that all profiles of children are included in these opportunities of responsibility.

‘Consider the role of extra-curricular activity, including any run directly by pupils, in promoting fundamental British values.’

The teachings of mutual respect are deeply rooted within the Catholic life of the school and children are encouraged to be selfless in their actions towards others. The charity work undertaken by St Mary’s, as well as pupil leadership at playtime and lunchtime, shows the care and respect that we have for one another regardless of race, religion or other factors. This is also in line with God’s commandment to love one another as I have loved you.

British Values through Oracy

Democracy, mutual respect, tolerance and individual liberty are British Values that are easily accessed through class discussion in all phases of school. Turn taking and expressing their own ideas, whilst also valuing and showing respect to one another’s beliefs, are promoted by all class teachers and easily adapted into their daily routines. Children who are happy and free to express themselves will have a strong sense of wellbeing and have good communication skills – showing how these drivers are integral to everything we do at St Mary’s.

Children have the freedom to express and share what they are curious about whilst knowing they are in a safe environment.

We aim for all children at St Mary’s to be able to articulate what each Fundamental British Value means and what it looks like. Opportunities to showcase this on a wider-school are provided for pupils in whole school class assemblies which are based on a specific theme, bringing each value to life and the forefront of not only their minds, but also their peers.

Examples of the understanding and knowledge pupils are expected to learn include:

an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
an acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination

Democracy – What do we do?

provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services
teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process
include in the curriculum information on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain
encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school
organise visits to the local council, Mayor’s Parlour and use Now Press Play to allow children to experience Parliament
hold ‘mock elections’ so pupils learn how to argue and defend points of view
help pupils to express their views
teach pupils how public services operate and how they are held to account
model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged

Rule of Law – What do we do?

ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair
help pupils to distinguish right from wrong
help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made
help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals
include visits from the police in the curriculum
teach pupils aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws
develop restorative justice approaches to resolve conflicts

Individual Liberty – What do we do?

support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights
model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence
challenge stereotypes
implement a strong anti-bullying culture

Mutual Respect and Tolerance – What do we do?

promote respect for individual differences
help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life
challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
organise visits to different places of worship
develop links with faith communities
develop critical personal thinking skills
discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender and differences of family situations, such as looked-after children or young carers