British Values

Promoting British Values at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary School

The Department for Education state 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.”  Here at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary School we are dedicated to promoting British Values and to ensure we prepare our pupils to be global citizens of the future

 
 The Key Values are:
 Democracy
The Rule of Law
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect
Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
 
 
Democracy 
 Democracy is embedded at Our Lady's. 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 active School Council and regular questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. In their regular meetings they come up with fund raising ideas for both school fund and charities, school improvement plans and other school events. Their voice and the voice of the pupils they represent, is an invaluable asset in continually helping us to improve as a school and provide the children with the environment they want and deserve.
 
 
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. Visits from authorities such as the local Community Police to deliver Cop Stars, talks from the local magistrate or former pupil Derek Twigg M.P. also reinforce this message. Opportunities to explore, deepen and apply understanding is developed through the curriculum. e.g When studying the Early Law Makers  or discussing and debating if Charles I should have been executed.

 

Individual Liberty 

Within school, pupils are also actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen during e-safety week, anti-bullying week, Keep me safe week and through PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Pupils’ are encouraged to express their own thoughts and feelings but are also made aware that their view may not impinge on that of others.

 

Mutual Respect

Our school aims and values, as well as our behaviour policy revolve around our mission statement; We learn to love everyone as Jesus loves us, and this permeates everything we do in school. Displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated in class charters as well as our behaviour policy.

 

Tolerance of those different faiths and beliefs

 The very Gospel values that we live our lives by and promote on a daily basis constantly teaches, demonstrates and reinforces tolerance and respect for others beliefs and faiths. This is evident in our actions, our Collective Worships, Curriculum and the implementation of our Behaviour policy.

 

At Our Lady’s school we firmly believe that our school aims and objectives underpin and promote the British values.

We learn

Develop the full potential and interests of the children through a rich, exciting, spiritual, creative and deep curriculum.

Challenge the children to become confident, enthusiastic, independent learners who take pride in themselves and their achievements.

Promote excellent standards of behaviour by keeping understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation at the heart of all we do.

We learn to love

Nurture, love, value and respect each other and their contribution towards a happy, safe and active healthy school life.

Provide a loving, safe, warm, welcoming and stimulating learning environment.

We learn to love everyone

Establish and maintain strong links with home, school, parish and the wider community to work together for the development of the whole child.

Celebrate diversity and respect other beliefs, cultures and ways of life as well as caring for our environment.

We learn to love everyone as Jesus loves us.

Follow Jesus as our role model for all we do, say and think.

Encourage and value the importance of prayer in our daily lives, so that our lives are a living witness to the Gospel.

Empower one another to have resilience and independence to flourish in the modern world by using their Gospel values, knowledge and skills.