Promoting British Values

BRITISH VALUES PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - Our British Value for Autumn Term is "Tolerance & Respect of other Faiths & Cultures"

St. Bernard’s is a Catholic school which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ. We promote these values by our words and deeds, and Catholic doctrine and practice therefore permeates every aspect of the school’s activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Gen 1:27). Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world. Catholic Religious Education is the “core of the core curriculum” (Pope St John Paul II) 4 and the foundation of the entire educational process. We also provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities and strong pastoral support. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.”

The following are all actions that our school take to promote British values:

Democracy

• Having a school council
• Taking part in debating competitions (internally or with other schools)
• Highlighting the development of democratic ideas in history lessons
• Allowing pupils to vote for Head Boy/ Head Girl/ House or Sports captains
• Ensuring all pupils are listened to by adults
•  Inviting MPs and other speakers to the school
• Visiting parliaments, assemblies and local councils
•  Holding mock elections

 

The Rule of Law

• Classes creating “class rules”
• Having a clear behaviour policy that is explained to all
•  Organising visits from the police service to reinforce the message of right and wrong
•  Highlighting the rules of the Church and God in the RE curriculum, for example the 10 commandments and the Precepts of the Church
•  Teaching about the development of the Rule of Law in English Law, a legal system created uniquely in a Catholic England, inspired by Christian values and becoming a major influence across the world

Individual Liberty

• Encourage students to be independent in their learning
• Provide students with opportunities for reflection as they take responsibility to discerning their vocation
• Provide opportunities for pupils to be responsible for choosing  their own recreational activities through zoning

 

Mutual respect

• Having a mission statement that is inclusive
•  Constantly promoting respect for others as good manners
•  Reinforcing the value of everyone’s opinions in class debates
•  Having an effective anti-bullying policy
•  Emphasising in RE and PSCHE lessons that every person is unique and “created in the image of God” and is precious in his eyes.
•  Having active educational links with other schools
•  Supporting charitable works

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

• Highlight how 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
•  Study other faiths and visit a variety of places of worship including mosques, churches, Gurdwara, and synagogues.
• Show how Jesus encouraged  tolerance in stories such as The Good Samaritan and The Women at the Well