At St Anne’s RC Primary School we value and respect the diversity of backgrounds of all our pupils, families and the wider school community.
The Department for Education states that: “There is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
- Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
- Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
- Support for equality of opportunity for all
- Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
- Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs
Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
How We Promote British Values at St Anne’s RC
Democracy
- All children are encouraged to debate topics of interest, express their views and make a meaningful contribution to the running of the school on matters that directly involve pupils. Children also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil questionnaires and pupil surveys. Pupil voice has recently impacted on the school through the organisation of St Anne’s Scarefest and bringing back our Marvellous Manners table on a Friday
- The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum as well as during assemblies and special days. The School Council are elected in as full members in September following opening their campaign by articulating their manifesto. All the children then vote for the school council members in a ballot held in the hall. Additionally, our Laudato Si group, St Anne’s ambassadors and mental health ambassadors have also been elected having written application forms for their roles.
- Our school behaviour policy involves rewards which the pupils have discussed.
- St Anne’s pupils now have an active involvement in the selection processes of new staff.
Rule of Law
- Our school follows ‘Rainbow rules’, which are integral to our learning and ethos every day.
- Responsibility is one of our core values at St Anne’s and we encourage children to take responsibility for their behaviour
- School rules and expectations are clear, fair and regularly promoted.
- Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong, in the classroom, during assemblies and on the playground.
- Pupils are encouraged to respect the law and St Anne’s enjoys visits from authorities such as the Police, local PCSOs Fire Service, Ambulance, etc. to help reinforce this message
The Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies set out a zero tolerance baseline for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to pupils, staff and parents and carers.
Individual Liberty
- Within school, pupils are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. eg. by signing up for extra-curricular clubs.
- Pupils are supported to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and our pastoral support reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
- Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety teaching and PSHE lessons as well as our RSE curriculum. Additionally, we thread safeguarding throughout our curriculum such as the NSPCC Pants songs
- Vulnerable pupils are protected and stereotypes challenged. A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed. The school also operates a robust system of logging incidents.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
- Respect is one of the core values of our school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.
- Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
- Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
- Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship. E.g. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
- Through the RSHE and RE curriculums, pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
- Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudiced-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in the RE and RSHE curriculums.
We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected and global dimension work embedded in our curriculum.
Further examples of links to how St Anne's Promotes British Values
- We actively link the development and observation of British laws into our Religious beliefs by exploring how the laws of the land can be attached to the ten commandments. We also explore the deeper meaning of such commandments and relate it to the law e.g. ‘though shalt not steal’ – we explore the concept of stealing and help children realize it is not just about stealing physical things – time, love, trust can all be stolen etc.
- We spend time looking at the etymology of our language and how its development has been influenced by other cultures and countries.
- In RE, all year groups have a topic devoted solely to the study of other faiths. During this we also explore the similarities between other faiths and our own.
- The new Code of Practice and disabilities act reflect our British values with regards to our legal duties – this has fed into Oldham Councils Local Offer to which we have linked our schools local offer of provision for SEND children.
- There are regular opportunities to discuss and raise awareness of British values are sought within other lessons and links made when appropriate.
- Music lessons that link to the different thematic topics throughout school. Also music from other cultures through visiting workshops.