Modern British Values

 

Christian Values

St John’s is a Church of England school; Christian values are reflected in nearly everything we do and influence how we treat each other. These values are not exclusively Christian but when brought together help to make our school the inclusive, caring and supportive school that it is.

The values which our schools endorse are those of:

Reverence Service Friendship
Wisdom Compassion Justice
Thankfulness Trust Hope
Humility Peace Creation
Endurance Forgiveness Koinonia

 

Each half term we focus on a particular value through our assemblies and worship to help children explore what each value represents.

 

British Values

The Department for Education state that there is a 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 John’s School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.

 

Democracy

Democracy is embedded at the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and regular questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. Democracy is also an element of our IPC curriculum and during KS2 children have opportunities to explore democracy through the local and national political systems.

 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Our school has ‘Golden Rules’, which are deeply embedded in our work every day. Each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our 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. We educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and P.S.H.E. lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

 

Mutual Respect

The pupils understand that respect is essential in order that we exist in harmony with each other. It is expected that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. The core value of Respect at St John’s underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom and is also reflected in our Golden Rules.

 

Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs

Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. St John’s enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies including visits to a range of places of worship and inviting pupils and parents in to class to talk about their own faith. Through this our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.