Our aim at St. Mary’s CVA New Mills is to encourage pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in Britain. We actively promote the fundamental British Values and this forms part of our wider work in school with children in relation to their Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC).
The British Values, as defined by the government, are:
Democracy
The Rule of Law
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect
Tolerance of different Faiths and Beliefs
We teach a broad and balanced curriculum that teaches elements of democracy, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, values and virtues, environmental awareness and understanding of different faiths. Actively promoting British Values also refers to challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values. At St. Mary’s CVA New Mills, values of tolerance and respect permeate all areas of school life. This creates a climate within which pupils feel safe and secure and therefore allows them to learn and develop. Pupil voice plays an integral part in driving the schools forward.
These British Values are promoted throughout the curriculum, across the whole school. They are also seen in the school ethos, policies, assemblies, special events and cultural celebrations. The following are a selection of activities that are evidence of our commitment to British Values.
We teach children about Democracy through:
- Children being involved in democratic processes e.g. voting for pupil councillors, rewards and incentives
- School council
- Caritas in Action
- Pupil Parliament
- Fairtrade team
- Minnie Vinnies
- Well-being buddies
- Chaplaincy
- Sports leaders
- Faith Friends
We teach children about Rule of Law through:
- School behaviour policy
- Golden rules in each class
- Rewards based on Catholic virtues
- Reflecting of behaviour and learning during lessons
- Parent/ carer questionnaires about behaviour
- Visits from Police, NSPCC
- Conflict resolution-sorry prayer
We teach children about Individual Liberty through:
- Understanding responsibility in school in terms of behaviour and learning attitudes (well-being and learning zones)
- Pupil roles in school – monitors/ helpers
- School values
- Local and national fundraising
- Community links – residential home, food bank
- Assembly – school council/ people who help us
- Restorative practise
- Challenging stereotyping and bias
- Anti-bullying including cyber bullying
- Sports values
- Global Learning
- UNICEF-Rights respecting school
We teach children about Mutual Respect through:
- PSHE and RSHE
- Positive relationships encouraged and modelled
- Inclusive ethos
- RE curriculum
- Anti-bullying assembly
- Pupil council
- Sports Day
- Community choir singing
- Trips – wider community
- Visitors
- Peer assessment
- Collaboration with other schools within our Trust
- Restorative practise
- Golden Rules
- PE values
- Global Learning
- UNICEF-Rights Respecting School
- FISH- Faith In Small Hearts
We teach children about Tolerance through:
- Links with other schools including our sister school in Buswagna, Uganda
- Assemblies – stories from world faiths and cultures
- RE curriculum
- Reflection opportunities in assemblies
- School curriculum
- Inclusive school
- Special assemblies –Remembrance Day
- Involvement of external speakers-High Sheriff, Sr Judith Rosi
- CAFOD
- PSHE
- Restorative practise
- Global learning
- UNICEF-Rights respecting School
Supporting documents
Link to government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/guidance-on-promoting-british-values-inschools-published
Glossary of terms and abbreviations in this policy
The term “Trust” refers throughout to the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust and any Academy within the Trust.
