British Values
Promoting British Values at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School.
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.”
At Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council. The elections of Councillors are based solely on pupil votes (following presentations), reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the school or the country, are consistently enforced. Each class discusses and displays the rules and expectations of our school. These are discussed and reinforced in assemblies, class time, in PSHE, at break and lunch time and are referred to by all school staff, teachers and non-teachers alike. This behaviour policy is explained to all and is consistently reinforced by staff. In addition to this, we also create "class rules" to ensure that every pupil is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Details about school rewards and sanctions, choice and consequences are detailed in our behaviour policy here.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. We encourage pupils to embrace their life fully, trusting in God's love. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment, an empowering education and a curriculum based upon clear values of the Catholic Faith. We hold life as sacred and God given. Our pupils are encouraged to value the uniqueness of each individual. They are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely, for example through our exploration of Online Safety.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of our core values and key to our school rules. We model relationships based on mutual respect, trust and compassion. Our staff, parents and pupils were fully involved in our ‘mission statement’ when it was created. It is deeply embedded in all that we do at the school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. We strive to show God's word through all we do and say.
Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs
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. Our Lady of Lourdes enhances pupils' understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies. Our pupils' understanding is enhanced further by supplementary work through CAFOD, our PSHE work, visits to places of worship and welcoming visitors of other faiths. Our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.