British Values at Our Lady of Lourdes

The DfE have reinforced the need:

“to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to 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.”

The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated by the Government in 2014.

At Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School these values are regularly promoted through high quality teaching, a rounded programme of assemblies and a positive behaviour policy. Fundamental British values are also promoted through our Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of pupils, alongside our Religious Education and Relationship and Health Education Curriculum.

This gives pupils opportunities to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Democracy
We listen to the voice of children and their parents. Our school Behaviour Policy is clear that children are expected to contribute and co-operate, taking into account the views of others.

We have School Ambassadors who apply for this role, in doing so they also attend an interview. They liaise with their classes, their teachers and run initiatives to support our school and their wider community. They were instrumental in decisions about the play equipment, the school library and fund raising charity nominations.

Rule of Law
When our pupils join our school community, they continually taught to recognise the difference between right and wrong and this, alongside their developing maturity, helps them to apply their understanding of these concepts in their daily lives.

We have a behaviour system which celebrates correct choices. We consistently reinforce our high expectations of all children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations (rules) that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility follow these rules and that there are consequences when rules are broken.

Individual Liberty
Within our school children are encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment to enable them to do this. Through our Relationship and Health Education and Religious Education Lessons, we discuss different choices that the children can make and encourage them to make the right choices. Our Behaviour Policy also gives an excellent forum for staff to discuss the choices (both good and bad) that pupils make about their behaviour in school. It is used to encourage pupils to reflect on their choices and the effect that it has on both their peers and adults and links clearly to our school values.

Pupils are given opportunities to resolve conflicts effectively and fairly. Through E-safety we teach the importance of keeping yourself safe on-line by choosing not to share personal information and also how to feel safe within a friendship.

Mutual respect
Our whole school ethos is built around mutual respect and we believe that respect for self and others is a vital component of moral development. We are an inclusive school where everyone is valued and has a contribution to make to the school. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.

We encourage open discussions in all areas, but particularly in lessons which promote citizenship. Staff help children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words can affect others, as well as through school assemblies.

We actively support all to develop our pupils own reasoned views about moral and ethical issues.

Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs
Assemblies are planned to give children the opportunity to reflect on a variety of beliefs, cultures and moral values.

Our curriculum incorporates teaching and learning opportunities for children to explore aspects of the wider world. The Religious Education and Relationship and Health Education Curriculum is planned to equip children with the knowledge which will enable them to understand the diverse nature of people's beliefs, the importance of tolerance and our British Values. We help them to understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.