British Values as directed under new Ofsted guidance, September 2014 states:

 ‘ensure that they and the school promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), cultures and lifestyles; and support and help, through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community, to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain 

As a Catholic School we actively promote values, virtues and ethics that shape our pupils’ character and moral perspective through the teachings of the Church. We follow the example of the Good Samaritan where we are called to love and care for our neighbour. We ensure that through our school vision, ethos, agreed rules, curriculum and teaching we promote respect and tolerance for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles. 

The Key Values are:

Democracy 

 Rule of law 

 Individual liberty 

 Mutual respect 

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

Democracy

At St Benedict’s we provide our children with a broad knowledge of and promote respect for public institutions and services and encourage local public institutions in to the school to speak to the children.

  • We teach the children how they can influence decision making through the democratic process e.g. School council, suggestion boxes, sports leaders and Pupil questionnaires. Pupils’ voices are heard and have an appropriate influence on the life of the school. 
  • Through lessons, teachers model how perceived injustices can be peacefully challenged e.g. by teaching about inspirational figures such as Ghandi, Mandela, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King 
  • Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council can genuinely effect change within the school as well as in the wider community. Council members for each year group are voted in by their class following an election campaign 
  • St Benedict’s are committed to school processes that are democratic, for staff and pupils alike.
  • During lessons, pupils have the opportunity to explore democracy itself. Young pupils can reflect on what makes something fair. Older pupils can learn about democracy and debate issues in class as would happen in a democracy

 

Rule of Law

  • All staff ensure that school rules are clear and fair by actively encouraging all members of our school community to follow our shared rules and Behaviour policy. 
  • Helping children to distinguish right from wrong e.g. by using the example of Christ when dealing with behaviour that is not acceptable. 
  • St Benedict’s promote respect for the law and the basis on which it is made e.g. through visitors into school.
  • We help children to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals and have a behaviour policy that is linked to the Christian value of forgiveness. 
  • At school, the children are given the opportunity to study the importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country as well as when dealing with issues through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws and that they govern and protect us, 
  • Younger pupils have the chance to reflect on why rules exist and how fairness is attempted through systems of rules, both in a classroom setting and across the whole school. Older pupils learn about the history.

 

Individual Liberty

  • At St Benedict’s we support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence e.g. through our Catholic ethos, our way of treating people, by investing heavily in meeting the needs of all of the children; providing equality of opportunity and by knowing an understanding the needs of all of the children. We encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour as well as knowing their rights e.g. through linking rights with responsibilities, by having a fair and consistent approach to our behaviour expectations.
  • As a school we have implemented a strong anti-bullying culture and actively promote e- safety.
  • St Benedict’s staff challenge stereotypes, whether this is through inviting people into school to speak to the children or organising awareness of issues through specific events eg supporting anti-bullying, anti-racism or CAFOD Campaigns. 
  • 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. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely whether it be through choice of challenges in the classroom, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices. This prepares younger pupils to be aware of the importance of taking responsibility for their choices. 
  • Older pupils are given the opportunity to explore and consider the balance between rights, responsibilities, diversity and belonging that make up daily life in a diverse country like Britain.

 

Respect and Tolerance

  • At St Benedict’s we promote respect for individual differences e.g. through assemblies and masses, the RE curriculum, Other Faith weeks and through our Catholic ethos.
  • We help children to acquire an understanding of and respect for their own and other cultures and ways of life further through our Geography curriculum, 
  • Our weekly Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Collective Worship sessions also uphold traditional values of empathy, respect and tolerance.
  • Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and live out the Gospel Values. All staff model respectful behaviour, towards each other, parents and pupils. We aim to ensure that the school environment is warm and welcoming, a source of pride for members of the school community. 
  • Expectations for all pupils are extremely high when it comes to respect; they behave respectfully towards each other, all adults and the school environment at all times. Rewards and sanctions are developed partly with a view to creating and sustaining a respectful school.

 

Tolerance of different Faith and Beliefs

  • St Benedict’s is situated in an area which is not greatly culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE scheme, Come and See reinforces this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. At St. Benedict’s we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values.
  • Our School Council is very successful in promoting tolerance in particular with their charity work. The whole school supports CAFOD and other charities that support local,  national and international needs. 
  • Younger pupils learn about the notion of tolerance first in terms of interpersonal behaviour in the classroom, which is part of learning to live with each other. Asking questions such as: ‘Is it fair? What shall we do when things are not fair?’ They also reflect on how they function harmoniously as a group, thinking about co-operation, sharing and being kind and generous to one another. 
  • Older pupils learn about the history in Europe of the value of tolerance. Older pupils consider the value of tolerance as given by the state to groups within the state, relating this to questions about human rights and freedoms. 
  • During the termly ‘Other Faiths’ week’ of our RE scheme, the school promotes respect and understanding of other faiths and beliefs. The children are taught about the key world faiths and seek to work with the wider community in any way possible.