British Values

“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.

Department of Education

At St. Patrick's, we value the diversity of the backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community and strongly believe in upholding British values through all aspects of our school provision.

Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and the wider world.

Please see our British Values Whole School Overview below.

Gospel Values

Gospel values “…are a guarantee of peace and of collaboration among all citizens in the shared commitment to serving the common good”.

Pope John Paul II

The Social, Spiritual, Moral and Cultural Development of our pupils is paramount and one way in which we foster this is by promoting our Gospel Values alongside our British Values. Our policies, procedures and daily teaching are underpinned by these values: Courage, responsibility, compassion, peace, service, justice, trust, hope, love, forgiveness, friendship, humility, generosity, reverence and respect.

Democracy: Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process.

Links to Gospel Values of Service, Sacrifice, Humility and Equality:

Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” 

Our behaviour management approach encourages:

• Children to create rules for conduct and learning, which permit discussion and agreement between each other, before committing them to practice.
  Children have an opportunity to join school council and be an active participant in decisions made in the school, as well as developing life skills such as public speaking, teamwork, and negotiation.
• Children represent others’ views, as well as their own in meetings.
• Children from Y3–Y6 are voted onto the school council and meet every half term to review school practice as well as plan future events.
• Children are encouraged to stand up for their beliefs, express their opinions clearly but at the same time respect the right to disagree where moral dilemmas and situations may be debated and considered.
• Children learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.

The Rule of Law: Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England. Support for equality of opportunity for all.

Links to the Gospel Values of Truth, Justice, Forgiveness, Mercy and Courage:

Romans 2:13 "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified."

At the start of every school year, children create a set of mutually agreed rules for conduct and learning behaviours, which they agree to adhere to once decided. We have also negotiated various reward and sanction systems within our behavioural management policy, that are applied consistently.

• Where appropriate, we would seek to use “restorative justice”, such as writing letters of apology. This helps encourage the concept of atonement. Staff may also talk through the situation in a structured way, to help children to understand consequences.
• Children participate in nominating and electing class school council and eco-council representatives.
• Through our school assemblies, circle time, PSHE lessons and theme days children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.
• The local police officer / PCSO visit the school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society.

Individual Liberty: Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law.

Links with the Gospel Values of Faithfulness and Integrity:

James 1:25 "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

• Lessons about rights are tackled in History/PSHE, when discussing how in the past, people’s rights have not been respected, such as in times of slavery and war.
• Across the curriculum, we study and discuss examples of individuals who have stood up for their beliefs and shown great faith and courage in times of adversity and struggle such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
• Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line. This is done through computing lessons and as well as through the PSHE curriculum.
• Through our PSHE program and vocation theme days, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. They are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport etc. and given opportunities to do this through a range of school clubs.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs: Respect for and acceptance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs.

Links with the Gospel Values of Dignity, Compassion, Tolerance, Peace and Equality:

Mark 12:31 "The second is this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Hebrews 12:14 "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

• We offer a broad and balanced curriculum that has a local, national, and international dimension.
• We follow the Liverpool Archdiocesan Syllabus for Religious Education that has a multi-faith element.
• We work to ensure that our resources do not promote stereotypes and celebrate diversity.
• We invite other members of other faith groups into our school, watch educational films and talk to children which help challenge any negative stereotypes.
• Our staff, children, school councillors, promote tolerance and help children to resolve their differences.
• Our acts of worship planner includes reference to significant holy days of other faiths and how there are common values shared between all faith groups. This helps fosters greater understanding.
• We actively celebrate and learn about other faiths throughout Religious Education.
• We invite children to pray with us or to sit respectfully and to listen as we pray together.
• Parents of children who are not Catholic have the right to withdraw their children from RE lessons or acts of worship.
• Parents and the community are invited to worship with us.
• Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals. The children’s work on this subject or whole school learning in assemblies is often displayed in the classrooms or around the school.