Promoting Fundamental British Values

In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. We recently had a flagpole installed so as to mark significant national, international and local events by raising an appropriate ensign to mark the occasion.  For example, we lowered the Union Flag to half-mast when HM Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022.

As part of our British values strategy, pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.

The Key Values are:

• democracy

• rule of law

• individual liberty

• mutual respect

• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

Democracy

At St. Joseph’s, the principle of democracy and democratic processes are promoted throughout the school; being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held annually for School Council positions. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Education curriculum as well as on our RSHE theme days and assemblies.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at St. Joseph’s.
Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school, The St. Joseph’s Way…Doing the Right Thing…At the Right Time! Through doing this, we live out the school mission of ‘Following in The Footsteps of Jesus’.

Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Visits from authorities such as the Police (local PCSO) and Fire Service reinforce this message.
Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong.  The school Behaviour Policy sets out a zero-tolerance approach to any form of aggression, abuse or violence.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at St. Joseph’s educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.  Family support, therapeutic social-work and group speech and language sessions reinforces the importance of making the right choices.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through regular online safety lessons and RSHE theme days. Vulnerable pupils are protected and there is a strong anti-bullying culture in school.  We have anti-bullying themed days, including Odd Socks Day for the Anti-Bullying Alliance, and all staff and pupils take an active part in this.  The school operates a robust policy of logging incidents. Pupils have key roles and responsibilities within school – e.g. School Council, House Captains, Mini-Vinnies.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Difference Faiths and Beliefs

Respect is one of the core values at our school.  Pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.  Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.  All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for pupils to express their views in a safe environment.  Through the RE, RSHE and Computing curriculum pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as different faith, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality and difference of family situations. We regularly celebrate differences, including our Black History Week, International Week, and two Other Faiths Weeks.  

On Monday, 26 September 2022, the children were led in an assembly all about British values.  This is the presentation that was used:

St. Joseph's House System 

This year, you will continue to see a range of changes and improvements that we began last year. One of the key changes we have made, saw the introduction of ‘House System’ as a way of rewarding good behaviour and work for all children across school.

Previously, children earned individual points and these have been totalled up at the end of the year, with the children receiving a certificate for 50, 100 and 200 points. This year, the children will work as part of four houses, or teams, to earn points as a collective, with rewards being given to the team with the most points. We have chosen to make this change as we want to see the children working more closely together and equally celebrating in their own and others’ achievements.

The children have been placed into one of four teams: St. George, St. Andrew, St. David and St. Patrick. These Houses have been carefully chosen to represent the four Patron Saints of the United Kingdom, further developing the children's understanding of British culture. 

Points earned by the children will be added up each week and announced in our Celebration Assembly. They are also published in the weekly newsletter so that parents/carers can celebrate with their children. The house with the most points each half term will win the House Point Trophy. At the end of the year, the house with most points will have a special reward!!

Children can earn points by working hard, being kind, being a good friend, showing respect: in essence, doing the right thing...at the right time!!

Remembrance Day

We gathered as a school to honour The Glorious Dead, those who laid down their lives so we might live in free, fair and tolerant society.

We lowered the flag to half mast and spent two minutes in perfect silence to reflect on their sacrifices. Year 4 then led us beautifully in our prayers, ensuring that we will always remember them.  

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.