In compliance with The Department for Education, we aim to actively promote British values in school to ensure our young people leave school prepared for life in modern BritainThe AvenueAt Hedda’s Catholic Primary School, we aspire for our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the school and wider community. We live in a constantly changing and evolving society. It is therefore important that we teach our pupils British Values which give them the skills they need to develop as citizens for modern Britain.

We fully recognise and embrace the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom and are committed to ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or pressured towards radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 ‘Prevent’ strategy and the Department for Education has reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values’. Actively promoting the values means challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to these values, which are:

    • democracy
    • the rule of law
    • individual liberty
    • mutual respect
    • tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Many of these values are embedded within our Catholic Ethos and Mission, but in addition St Hedda’s uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure pupils’ understanding of the wider implications of British values.

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DEMOCRACY at St Hedda’s

Children having the opportunity to have a voice and their own say. We promote pupil’s voice in many ways:

  1. Voting for Time to Shine rewards
  2. Children suggest extra curricular clubs
  3. Regular opportunities for children’s voice and feedback about all elements of school life

The Rule of Law at Hedda’s

The children understand the difference between what is right and wrong. We promote the Rule of Law in many ways:

  1. Fruits of the Spirit
  2. Class rules
  3. Rewards and consequences
  4. Teaching the value and reason of laws

Our pupils are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

Individual Liberty at St Hedda’s

Children having the freedom and right to make their own choices. We promote Individual Liberty in many ways:

  1. Safe environments
  2. E-Safety
  3. PSHE
  4. Extra-curricular activities

Whether it is through choice of challenge; how they record; participation in our extra-curricular activities our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths at Hedda’s

  • assemblies and masses, the RE curriculum – Come and See, which teaches other faiths in a progressive manner
  • A Catholic ethos
  • through a broad and enriched curriculum
  • visits to places of worship and the teaching of important religious/cultural icons
  • Discuss and celebrate the differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, and also those marginalised in society, such as the homeless.

 

Impact

  • Pupils develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
  • Pupils distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
  • Pupils encouraged to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
  • Pupils acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
  • Pupils develop further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures;
  • Pupils develop respect for other people;
  • Pupils develop respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.