British Values
At St. Peter Chanel we believe that our values, as illustrated in our Mission Statement, fully encompass what the Government calls the ‘British Values’. The DfE reinforces the promotion of ‘British values’ in schools, as vital in ensuring that children grow up free from bullying and discrimination. At St. Peter Chanel any form of bullying is not tolerated. We believe that we are all children of God and together we create a loving Christian community underpinned by common Gospel Values. We pledge to inspire, challenge and empower so that through Christ we can make a difference. These beliefs underpin our ethos and confirm our total support for ‘British Values’
The Government’s definition of ‘British values’ includes the following:-
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect and
- Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
At St. Peter Chanel we listen to children and value the freedoms and responsibilities that a Democracy brings. We have a democratically elected Pupil Parliament and ensure that pupils have opportunities to take on responsibilities for the education, health, environmental and transport matters. Parents and pupils are consulted regularly and there are opportunities for parents and pupils to share their views. This is done through anonymous questionnaires, parent’s forum meetings and through pupil voice monitoring exercises. We promote fairness by ensuring that all pupils are enabled to share their viewpoints without fear and see evidence that children are able to express their views in assemblies and a range of student body meetings
We teach children the importance of The Rule of Law. Children create ‘Golden Rules’ for their class at the beginning of each year. They understand that rules are there to protect everyone, to keep people safe and enable to them to learn. Recently we have re-written our school rules together and all adults ensure they refer to the rules when they are reminding children of expectations. We have also done a lot of work on developing a fair behaviour ladder so children understand the consequences involved in breaking our school ‘laws’.
Pupils are encouraged to make choices within a safe and supportive environment. They are taught how to minimise risk, particularly when using the internet. Assemblies and PSHE lessons are used to promote Individual Liberty. Children learn how to make the right choices in different situations. They understand that the choices they make have an impact on others; their liberty must not be at the expense of someone else’s well-being.
We teach children that Mutual Respect is at the heart of our ethos. We believe that when adults and pupils treat each other with respect, this value is taken out to the wider community. It is the right of everyone to be treated with respect regardless of gender, faith, culture, belief or difference. We believe that God made each one of us as a unique being and that difference is to be celebrated; it is not for us to judge others but to love.
Through the curriculum, our assemblies and our own faith, we teach the children Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs. We invite other faith leaders and young members of other faiths to come into school and talk to our pupils about their faith experience and encourage visits to other places of worship. At St. Peter Chanel we actively challenge pupils or adults who express opinions that are contrary to our ethos and the ‘British values’ outlined above