British Values
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At St John Fisher we promote and teach fundamental British values across all areas of the National Curriculum, such as:
- Democracy;
- The rule of law;
- Individual liberty;
- Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and for those without faith.
When creating our curriculum, British values were embedded through the 'themes' across the school, as we feel it is vital for our children to study about democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect for and tolerance of others. These areas are also reinforced and developed within our Jigsaw PSHE scheme of work, which is taught from Nursery to Yr 6.
Democracy
Voices of Tomorrow – Each class elects two school VOT's (Voices of Tomorrow) who meet regularly to plan projects that will help improve the school and be of benefit to its pupils. Prospective VOT members pitch to their class as they are democratically elected into office by their peers.
Curriculum – Through our curriculum children are taught about, and are encouraged to respect public institutions and services.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at St John Fisher.
Pupils are taught from an early age about the expectations of the school. This is usually accomplished through the creation of age-appropriate Class Rules that are displayed within each classroom and through assemblies in the Autumn Term.
Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Individual Liberty
At St John Fisher, we provide an empowering education within a safe and supportive environment. We educate and we also provide boundaries for our pupils. As a result they are in a position to make informed choices. Pupils are encouraged to know, to understand and to exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our focused work on online safety and within the PSHE curriculum.
St John Fisher has a robust anti-bullying policy in place and each year we participate in the Anti-Bullying Week campaign. It is important to use to promote a harmonious school through our PSHE lessons, daily collective workshop, school values and the school's ethos.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. From the earliest age, our pupils learn that their behaviour can have an effect on their own rights and well-being and those of others. All members of the school community, whether they are an adult or a child, are expected to treat each other with respect. We use peer mediation to help resolve small playtime fall-outs and encourage freedom of speech through our number of Pupil Voice.
Tolerance Of Those Of Different Faiths And Beliefs
St John Fisher provides a variety of opportunities for pupils to learn about the world around them and those of other faiths. We also actively encourage visitors from a range of communities, cultures and organisations into our school. Should you have a community to share about with the children during a whole-school assembly, please contact the school office as we would love to hear more!
We often celebrate significant events from different faiths through linked assemblies and themes in our RE curriculum.
The school supports CAFOD and local charities through special days and activities (e.g. such as MUFTI days, sponsored events and cake sales).
Safeguarding Against Radicalisation and Extremism
St John Fisher is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school, we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All pupils, staff, governors and visitors to our school are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Please view the gallery below to see some of the many opportunities created here at St John Fisher to teach and uphold these values on a daily basis, alongside our much valued school ethos and spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of learning.
