The DfE have recently 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 promotion of ‘British values’ is central to Catholic education because British values have their origin in the Christian values of our nation.
At St Bede’s these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
- Democracy:
Our children at St Bede’s are involved in democratic processes. Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council, Mini Vinnies and Pupil questionnaires. The elections of House Captains and School Council representatives are based solely on pupil votes. All children are listened to by adults and their thoughts and suggestions are considered and respected by every adult in school. Children help to decide which charities they would like to fundraise for, particularly children in our Mini Vinnies and School Council groups.
- The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. 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. In Religious Education lessons and in the daily Catholic life of our school, the rules of the church are highlighted. Children learn about the 10 commandments and the Precepts of the Church. At St Bede’s children help to develop fair rules to use in classrooms and around the school including the playground. Visits from authorities such as the Police and the Fire Service, are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
- Individual Liberty:
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety, Thinking Skills and PSHE lessons. Children know that they have the freedom to make choices about choosing the level of challenge in some lessons, particularly Numeracy lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge or participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
- Mutual Respect:
Our school ethos; ‘A happy and holy place of learning and the centre of a thriving community’ is an ethos based on love and acted out in daily school life. Our school ethos and behaviour policy revolves around Christian Values such as ‘Respect’, ‘Love’, ‘Forgiveness’ and ‘Peace’. In RE and PSHE lessons, we promote that every person is unique and created in the image of God. Posters and display boards around school illustrate our ethos and mission here at St Bede’s. We promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour and anti-bullying policies. We support numerous charities at different times of the year; eg: CAFOD World Gifts during Advent, MacMillan Cancer Care, St Cuthbert’s Hospice throughout the year, North East Air Ambulance and many more. Assemblies, collective worships and discussions about such charities allow our children to consider and pray for our brothers and sisters all over the world. Children make all visitors feel very welcome here at St Bede’s, a point often commented on, and we work together to help one another.
- Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
Our core subject, Religious Education, provides pupils with a deep understanding of their own faith as well as an awareness of other religious communities. We illustrate how Jesus encouraged tolerance with others in stories such as The Good Samaritan and The Women at the Well, spreading the message that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. We learn about ‘Other Faiths’, where our RE lessons are centred on a faith different to Christianity, eg: Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The aim of this is to enable our children to understand these communities and to respect them. Children visit places of worship belonging to other faiths, eg; synagogues and mosques and we celebrate festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE, Thinking Skills and PSHE.
