British Values Statement
The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 ‘Prevent Strategy’ and these values were reiterated in 2014 by the Prime Minister. The Department for Education has recently reinforced the need for schools to ‘actively promote fundamental British values to their pupils, both in lessons and in extracurricular activities’.
The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 ‘Prevent Strategy’ and these values were reiterated in 2014 by the Prime Minister. The Department for Education has recently reinforced the need for schools to ‘actively promote fundamental British values to their pupils, both in lessons and in extracurricular activities’.
At our school, you will hear our children talking about Catholic Social Teaching, which are directly linked to these values. Please see how they link below:
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs - Human dignity, We are special and unique.
Democracy - Community and participation, We are a community who encourage each other.
The rule of law - Human rights, We all have the right to feel healthy, happy and safe.
Individual liberty - Solidarity, We love our neighbours near and far.
Mutual respect - Human dignity, We are special and unique.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs - Human Dignity
Our catholic identity ensures that we uphold the values of the gospel: love and compassion; forgiveness and mercy; humility and dignity; respect and tolerance of others, justice and peace. Pope Francis said: “Jesus is the Gospel in person. His compassion, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised, invites all of us to care for the frailest.”
Our catholic identity ensures that we uphold the values of the gospel: love and compassion; forgiveness and mercy; humility and dignity; respect and tolerance of others, justice and peace. Pope Francis said: “Jesus is the Gospel in person. His compassion, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised, invites all of us to care for the frailest.”
As a Catholic worshiping community, pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. This is achieved through the Religious Education curriculum and the spiritual life of the school. Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.
Our mission statement of Inspiring everyone to REACH through Faith, Hope, Love together helps us to strive to be a school community where everyone is equally respected and unconditionally loved. We believe that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. We are called to treat every person and every creature with loving respect.
Our mission statement of Inspiring everyone to REACH through Faith, Hope, Love together helps us to strive to be a school community where everyone is equally respected and unconditionally loved. We believe that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. We are called to treat every person and every creature with loving respect.
Democracy - Community and Participation
All adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions. Pupils are taught to listen to and respect the views of others because we believe that individuals and groups can make a real difference. This instills a greater sense of responsibility and a strong sense of community. At St Joseph's, pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. The elections of School Council are the result of pupil votes and these groups canvas the opinions of their peers. These elections help the children to understand the importance of democracy in securing a fair society where everyone has a voice. At St Joseph’s we focus on restorative justice as an approach to resolve issues peacefully. Everyone is capable of giving something to others.
All adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions. Pupils are taught to listen to and respect the views of others because we believe that individuals and groups can make a real difference. This instills a greater sense of responsibility and a strong sense of community. At St Joseph's, pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council. The elections of School Council are the result of pupil votes and these groups canvas the opinions of their peers. These elections help the children to understand the importance of democracy in securing a fair society where everyone has a voice. At St Joseph’s we focus on restorative justice as an approach to resolve issues peacefully. Everyone is capable of giving something to others.
Our school council for 2024-2025 is:
Chair - Alice
Co Chair - Kacper
Secretary - Olivia
Year 6 - Annabel
Year 1 - Mila and Thomas
Year 2 - Poppy and David
Year 3 - Edith and Henry
Year 4 - Amberlee and Callum
Year 5 - Millie and Edward
The Rule of Law - Human rights
The importance of laws and rules are consistently reinforced in the classroom, playground as well as through school assemblies. This directly links to human rights and it is our job to protect them!
The importance of laws and rules are consistently reinforced in the classroom, playground as well as through school assemblies. This directly links to human rights and it is our job to protect them!
Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws: that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Pupils follow a positive behaviour policy and clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used. Assemblies and discussions in class focus on recognising right from wrong and visits from the, PCSOs, Fire Dept, Child Line and other local community representatives help to reinforce these messages. Through the curriculum children learn about the difference between right and wrong such as in traditional tales. We also emphasise that we are all equal under the law and that it is not only wrong, but illegal to discriminate against others on the basis of characteristics such as disability, gender, race or faith.
Our Year 6 children always meet with local councillors how play a crucial role in representing their communities and ensuring that services and policies are implemented in way that benefits everyone.
Mock Trials
Each Year St Joseph’s Year 6 children take part in a schools’ mock trials which is run by Local Magistrates. In the competition, our team conducts a trial against another team from another school. There are 13 parts to be played for the defence, and 13 parts for the prosecution, teams. Pupils play all the roles that a real trial would have.
A magistrate comes to our school prior to the trial to talk to the children about what they do, punishments and consequences to committing an offence.
They have been doing mock trials for 25 years in the Gloucestershire area and find it helps pupils who participate to develop their confidence and thinking skills.
The trial teaches children about several British values and how the law works.
Here are some images of the children competing over the years…
REACH – How Our Country is Run
In Year 6 we complete a unit of work linked to Government and how our country is run; this links in with our British Values and our school's REACH values. It is a really engaging and fun unit where children develop their knowledge of our country which is crucial as they are our future.
The year 6 children get a chance to learn about:
- Parliament
- The House of Commons – we have a virtual tour
- The House of Laws – we have a virtual tour
- How laws are made
- Local Council – two local councillors visit
- Debating – we then get to take part in a debate
Individual Liberty - Solidarity
Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is very important. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. All pupils are keen to support charities, whether local, national or global. Solidarity spurs us to stand side by side with our sisters and brothers, especially those living in poverty.
Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is very important. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. All pupils are keen to support charities, whether local, national or global. Solidarity spurs us to stand side by side with our sisters and brothers, especially those living in poverty.
They are also taught consideration for others through the Religious Education curriculum and PSHE lessons in particular. E-safety teaching enables them to make choices in a safe manner.
Mutual Respect - Human dignity
The school’s catholic identity and behaviour policy are based on Gospel values, with the important commandment being, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. Every person is made in the image and likeness of God. Assemblies constantly promote respect for others and the importance of good manners. All pupils are taught the importance of self-respect, honesty and open communication with others and fair play. Pupils work collaboratively and value others’ opinions.
The school’s catholic identity and behaviour policy are based on Gospel values, with the important commandment being, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. Every person is made in the image and likeness of God. Assemblies constantly promote respect for others and the importance of good manners. All pupils are taught the importance of self-respect, honesty and open communication with others and fair play. Pupils work collaboratively and value others’ opinions.