Fundamental British Values Statement

Promoting Fundamental British Values at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School

“With God’s love, we are a family: caring, learning and growing together.”

At St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, we actively promote the Fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

These values are embedded within the Catholic life and mission of our school. They complement our Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching, particularly our commitment to the dignity of every human person, the common good, solidarity, participation and care for others.

We aim to prepare our pupils for life in modern Britain, enabling them to become responsible, respectful and active citizens who recognise the value and dignity of every person.

Democracy

We teach pupils that their voices matter and that they can make a positive contribution to their school and wider community.

Pupils are provided with regular opportunities to express their views and participate in decision-making. This includes pupil leadership opportunities through our School Council, Prayer Leaders, RE Ambassadors, Mini Vinnies, Eco Committee, librarians, JSOs and Subject Ambassadors.

Pupil voice is gathered across different areas of school life, and children learn that democracy involves listening carefully to others, respecting different viewpoints and contributing responsibly to decisions.

The Rule of Law

Pupils learn why rules and laws are important in creating safe, fair and happy communities.

Our behaviour expectations help children understand that actions have consequences and that rules exist to protect everyone. Through our curriculum, assemblies, relationships and daily school life, pupils develop an understanding of fairness, justice, responsibility and forgiveness.

As a Catholic school, we encourage pupils to consider how their choices affect others and to recognise their responsibility to contribute to the common good.

Individual Liberty

Within a safe and supportive environment, pupils are encouraged to make choices, express their views and develop confidence and independence.

Children learn about their rights alongside their responsibilities towards others. They are taught how to make safe and informed choices, including through RSHE, PSHE, online safety and safeguarding education.

Our Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human person reinforces the message that every child is unique, valued and loved by God.

Mutual Respect

Respect is central to our Catholic ethos and to our mission of being a family that is caring, learning and growing together.

We teach pupils to recognise the dignity and worth of every individual and to treat others with kindness, compassion and respect.

Through prayer and liturgy, Religious Education, Catholic Social Teaching, PSHE and our wider curriculum, pupils explore themes including friendship, forgiveness, justice, equality, compassion and service.

Our children are encouraged not simply to learn about these values, but to put them into action through service to others and involvement in charitable and community initiatives.

Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

As a Catholic school, we are proud of our own faith identity while teaching our pupils to understand, respect and value people whose faiths, beliefs, cultures and experiences may be different from their own.

Pupils learn about other religions and worldviews through the curriculum and through meaningful opportunities to encounter different traditions. This includes learning about Judaism,Islam and Hinduism.

Children are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, challenge stereotypes and recognise that disagreement does not prevent us from treating one another with dignity and respect.

We make clear that prejudice, discrimination and derogatory behaviour have no place within our school community.

Catholic Social Teaching and British Values

Fundamental British Values are strengthened through our teaching of Catholic Social Teaching. Pupils learn that they have a responsibility not only for themselves but also for one another, particularly those who are vulnerable or in need.

Through prayer, curriculum learning, pupil leadership, charitable work and community action, our children are encouraged to become people who actively contribute to their school, parish, local community and wider world.

At St John Fisher, promoting Fundamental British Values is therefore part of our wider commitment to forming children who are faith-filled, respectful, compassionate, responsible and ready to make a positive difference in society.

This would work particularly well as a statutory website page, and you could strengthen it further by adding a short “British Values in Action at St John Fisher” section with photographs and concrete examples from your School Council, Mini Vinnies, other-faith learning, pupil leadership and community work.