The Department for Education has ‘… 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.‘
We are educating children in a multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing United Kingdom. St Peter’s understands and takes seriously the role it has in ensuring that it upholds and promotes these values.
St Peter’s School Policies highlight equal opportunities and guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.
British values are promoted as a central part of St Peter’s culture and curriculum. The list below outlines some examples of when and where such British Values are embedded.
Democracy
The school council operates democratically. School council members are voted in by their class annually. These members relay the views of their peers to the school council and feedback the discussions from council meetings to their classes.
Our values and school ethos promotes the importance of social responsibility and fairness. This is also reflected in our behaviour policy.
Democratic Britain is further contextualized for pupils wherever possible through visits from members of parliament and council officers.
The Rule of Law
School rules and expectations stress the importance of responsibility, respect and fairness. The school community promotes a model of good behaviour and relationships. Pupils understand the importance of school rules and that poor behaviour choices bring agreed and defined consequences.
The rule of British law is further contextualized for pupils through visits from members of the police force.
Individual Liberty
Pupils’ personal rights and freedoms are explored in PSHE and in shared assemblies. The UNICEF Rights of the Child is used as a shared text.
Children are encouraged to make personal choices after weighing up activities or decisions available to them.
Children are encouraged to embrace appropriate responsibilities and to act in a responsible manner modelled by all members of staff.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
The basis of mutual respect and tolerance underpins our school ethos.
School worship and teaching provide learning, stories and real life examples of tolerance and mutual respect as inspiration and a guide for pupils.
We celebrate the fact that we live in a culturally diverse society. We actively seek opportunities to teach and demonstrate tolerance in a multi-cultural, multi-faith, ever changing world.
Pupils’ understanding of different faiths is extensive and addressed through excellent RE teaching. Wherever possible visitors of different faiths speak to classes as well as planned visits to places of worship.
Our curriculum plan ensures, where appropriate, pupils learn out of the classroom. Cultural visits and real experiences enrich our pupils’ broad palette of learning.