The government set out its definition of ‘British values’ in the ‘Prevent Strategy’ (2011), which was designed to prevent the extremism and religious radicalisation of young people. The promotion of ‘British values’ is central to Catholic education because British values have their origin in the Christian values of our nation.

“We are proud that Catholic schools promote values that are both Catholic and British, including: respect for the individual, democracy, individual liberty, respect, tolerance and inclusiveness. Our schools promote cohesion by serving more ethnically diverse and poorer communities. Catholic schools provide high standards of education which are popular with parents from all social, economic and faith backgrounds.” 

Paul Barber (Catholic Education Service 15 December 2014).

 At Our Lady's Catholic Primary School we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure our pupils develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility which will prepare them for life in modern Britain. 

The school values the pupils’ voice so we ask them about their learning, their concerns and for their ideas about how we can make things better for them. We do this by using pupil questionnaires and through our School Council. At the start of each year, pupils vote for their class representatives through an election process.

The pupils understand the school rules and the need for them for the safety and wellbeing of others. At the start of each year, classes discuss class rules and agree a charter to abide by. During lessons and assemblies pupils learn about the importance of having rules and how these relate to laws. We use a range of resources to promote moral, spiritual, social and cultural awareness among our pupils. Our pupils have a well-developed sense of justice. They understand and are able to discuss the established systems within our school for reward and sanctions. By being immersed in the ethos of the school, our pupils learn about their responsibility to be law abiding citizens.

Our behaviour policy builds on the principle that pupils are responsible for their own actions and choices and that these have consequences. The school sanctions system provides reflection time where pupils are able to think about the impact of their choices. 

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment and empowering education, we provide boundaries for our pupil’s, to make choices safely; for example:

Choices about what learning challenge or activity to do

Choices around the participation in extra-curricular activities

Choices about lunchtime options

Our ethos at Our Lady's Catholic Primary School is based on care, mutual respect and good manners. Adults actively model respect with one another - and with the pupils - in how we speak to and treat one another.  We are fortunate at Our Lady’s to have pupils and families from many countries and cultures. We embrace the richness that this brings to our school community. All staff model a tolerant and accepting attitude. We use assemblies to raise and discuss issues of bullying and prejudice and reinforce learning during curriculum time.

Interwoven within the curriculum in a range of curriculum areas are planned opportunities to teach the values of our society. Some examples are

History: How we influence democracy is explored though the curriculum and assemblies. The Rule of Law and the importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country is consistently reinforced at Our Lady's Catholic Primary School. Britain and its influence in modern times are aspects woven into our imaginative learning projects. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, whilst understanding that with exercising their rights comes responsibility.

Geography: We ensure that pupils have a better understanding of what Britain is; learning more about its capital cities and counties, its rivers and mountains, and where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world.

Music: The study of British composers and their global influence.

Art: The study of how British artists influence others around the world.

Religious Education: Gaining a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices of the world religions represented in the UK. All pupils have the opportunity to visits places of worship that are important to different to faiths. Our Lady's Catholic Primary School actively promotes diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.

Physical Education: Promotion of the concept of “fair play”, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others.

Computing: Pupils are also taught about respect and bullying in the online world through our learning platform and though regular e-safety lessons.

School Council: Promotion of democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns. Key to this is the concept of holding others to account, including those in positions of influence and authority.

Educational visits: Our broad range of educational visits and experiences outside of the classroom equips our pupils with the skills to make a positive contribution to their community as equal citizens, as well as being able to look at British heritage in more depth. Visits include Hereford Cathedral, Belmont Abbey, and local museums, farms and landscapes. 

Community Events: We work closely with charities and organisations such as ‘The British Legion’, CAFOD and more locally, Hereford Food Bank and St Michael’s Hospice.  We encourage our pupils to interact with pupils from other schools, both locally and further afield, though organised activities.