The DfE have recently reinforced the need “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.”

At St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is well established within the school. Annually, pupils vote to nominate two school councillors per class to work alongside school leaders. All pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our school council and pupil questionnaires. We incorporate democracy into daily school life whether it be in its simplest form of the children voting for their preferred story to read during story time. Also, we involve democracy in whole school events and projects such as the children voting for which endangered animal they would like adopt at Chester Zoo as part of our World Book Day 2023 activities.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

Individual Liberty:

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect:

Our school mission statement and behaviour policy are underpinned by our RE curriculum which echoes the sentiment that pupils understand that their behaviour, actions and words can affect others. Using the example of our Mission Statement, ‘Love like Jesus. Learn like Jesus. Live like Jesus’, pupils understand and respect that not everyone is the same as them and everyone needs to be treated fairly, equally and as an indiviudal. This is reinforced through collective worship, assemblies and Masses.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and PSHE. For example, we welcome Ann Angel into school every year to lead workshops on the Jewish faith as part of our Other Faiths Week in RE based around Judaism.