British Values

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How are British Values promoted at St Bede’s?

In guidance for maintained schools, issued by the Department for Education in November 2014, a list was provided that describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of schools promoting fundamental British values. This is given below:

an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;

an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;

an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;

an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;

an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; and

an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

The table below outlines some of the ways in which we promote these values at St Bede’s:
	Our School Council provides children with the experience of voting for representatives of each class, who in turn have the opportunity to shape decisions that are taken about school life.
Democracy	Our Year 6 pupils also vote for the new House Captains each year.
	Our children are often asked about their views on aspects of school life via questionnaires and through pupils conferencing.
	Our school rules are known by everyone and constantly referred to by staff. Children know what is expected of them and the consequences of breaking the rules.
The Rule of Law	Our behaviour policy is available to all (via our website) and clearly outlines the behavioural expectations of the school.
	The school’s RE curriculum makes explicit reference to the rules of the Church and of God, in lessons such as those covering the 10 commandments and the teachings of the Church.
	Our pupils are encouraged to be as independent as possible and to take ownership of their learning and of their conduct. All children have individual learning targets and the few with difficulties with their behaviour are given behavioural targets as well.
Individual Liberty	When observing lessons, senior staff will assess how each teachers (or teaching assistants) promote independence in their classroom.
	Our mission statement is shared by all and states that we should ‘Love one another as I have loved you’
Mutual Respect	During the many collective worship sessions and RE lessons that take place each week, Gospel values are promoted such as ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and pupils are reminded that every person is unique and “created in the image of God”.
	The school regularly aims to help others by supporting a variety of charities and good causes.
Tolerance of those with other faiths or beliefs	The school celebrates the huge range of cultural and ethnic differences that make up our pupil population.
	The school regularly teaches about other religious faiths (at the end of each of the ten RE top-ics taught each year) and promotes the respect of others’ beliefs.

The table below outlines some of the ways in which we promote these values at St Bede’s:

Our School Council provides children with the experience of voting for representatives of each class, who in turn have the opportunity to shape decisions that are taken about school life.

Democracy

Our Year 6 pupils also vote for the new House Captains each year.

Our children are often asked about their views on aspects of school life via questionnaires and through pupils conferencing.

Our school rules are known by everyone and constantly referred to by staff. Children know what is expected of them and the consequences of breaking the rules.

The Rule of Law

Our behaviour policy is available to all (via our website) and clearly outlines the behavioural expectations of the school.

The school’s RE curriculum makes explicit reference to the rules of the Church and of God, in lessons such as those covering the 10 commandments and the teachings of the Church.

Our pupils are encouraged to be as independent as possible and to take ownership of their learning and of their conduct. All children have individual learning targets and the few with difficulties with their behaviour are given behavioural targets as well.

Individual Liberty

When observing lessons, senior staff will assess how each teachers (or teaching assistants) promote independence in their classroom.

Our mission statement is shared by all and states that we should ‘Love one another as I have loved you’

Mutual Respect

During the many collective worship sessions and RE lessons that take place each week, Gospel values are promoted such as ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and pupils are reminded that every person is unique and “created in the image of God”.

The school regularly aims to help others by supporting a variety of charities and good causes.

Tolerance of those with other faiths or beliefs

The school celebrates the huge range of cultural and ethnic differences that make up our pupil population.

The school regularly teaches about other religious faiths (at the end of each of the ten RE top-ics taught each year) and promotes the respect of others’ beliefs.