SMSC
British Values at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
At St Peter’s we teach the importance of core British Values both discretely and as part of all lessons and assemblies. We actively promote British Values at St Peters and challenge members of the school community who express opinions that are contrary to them.
The core British Values are:
- Democracy
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- The Rule of Law
- Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy
Democracy is intrinsically linked to our learning skills of communication, cooperation, questioning and respect.
We teach pupils about models or democracy and the importance of fair voting systems. The children regularly vote in order to make collective decisions and elect council and committee members in a democratic manner.
We run school elections and teach the benefits of a democratic model.
We teach debating skills and enable pupils to express views.
We also teach our pupils about injustices and how they can be appropriately challenged.
Individual Liberty
We focus on human rights in assemblies and lessons and teach the importance of freedom of speech
We encourage all to develop self-esteem and confidence to express opinions views.
We challenge stereo types
We protect vulnerable pupils
We have a clear anti bullying policy and work to promote an anti-bullying culture
Mutual Respect
We promote respect for individual differences
We help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life
We challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
We organise visits to places of worship
We develop links with faith communities
We develop critical personal thinking skills
We discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, such as looked-after children or young carers
The Rule of Law
We ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair
We teach pupils to question and determine right from wrong
We help pupils to respect the law and appreciate the basis on which it is made
We help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals
We include visits from the police in the curriculum
We teach pupils aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws
We develop restorative justice approaches to resolve conflicts – peer conflict strategies are both taught and supported.
There is a zero tolerance of violent behaviour
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
We respect, Communication, Cooperation, Questioning, Messenger for God
We organise visits to places of worship
We develop links with faith communities
We challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour