Embedding British Values at St. Luke's

“Love one another as I have loved you” John 15 v 12.

At St. Luke's, We are proud to actively promote and celebrate the values that embody a positive child in modern Britain. We prioritise the fundamental British values outlined by the Department for Education.

These values underpin the school ethos. They are integrated into our school vision, curriculum, teaching and learning strategies, Christian core values, and enrichment activities.

Our Codes of Conduct, Teaching and Learning strategies, and Behaviour policies reflect our high expectations for conduct among both our pupils and staff. We strive to create an environment that fosters respect, integrity, and responsibility.

As a Christian school, we also emphasise values, virtues, and ethics derived from the teachings of the Church. By focusing on Christian values, we aim to provide our pupils with a strong understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen in modern Britain, equipping them with the necessary foundations for success.

Diversity is celebrated and embraced at St. Luke's, as we recognise and value the unique gifts and talents that each individual brings. We believe that appreciating and respecting our differences creates a stronger and more harmonious community.

We actively encourage our school community to explore and deepen their understanding of what it means to be a part of modern Britain. Through open dialogue, promoting understanding, and embracing diversity, we strive to foster a school community that values and respects all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.

Democracy

At St. Luke's, we actively promote democracy by involving our pupils in decision-making processes. Each year, pupils have the opportunity to contribute to the creation of their classroom charter, which outlines the expected behaviour and rights associated with it. This is part of our Jigsaw PSHE curriculum. Pupils are aware of their right to be heard and have their views taken into consideration.

We provide various avenues for pupils to share their views, including participation in the School Council, completing questionnaires, engaging in curriculum activities, and participating in class discussions. Their feedback is highly valued and considered by both staff and governors. The School Council, elected through democratic voting, meets regularly to discuss issues raised by pupils and to bring forward their ideas and concerns. The representatives are chosen through voting by their classmates.

In addition to pupil voice, we also value the opinions of our staff. All staff members are encouraged to share their ideas and contribute to the continuous improvement of our school. This collaborative approach ensures that we sustain and enhance good to outstanding practises and maintain a forward-looking workforce.

Overall, our commitment to democracy is evident in the active involvement of our pupils and staff in decision-making processes, creating an inclusive and empowering environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued.

The rule of law

At St. Luke's, we prioritise the rule of law through positive behaviour strategies that establish boundaries and foster self-discipline. From an early age, we actively educate our pupils about the importance of rules and laws. We have specific rules in place, such as Playground Rules and Safety Rules, which are consistently explained and reinforced. It is crucial for our pupils to understand the purpose and significance of rules and laws, including how they govern and protect us, the responsibilities they entail, and the consequences that follow if they are broken. Our Behaviour Policy and age-appropriate E-Safety rules further reinforce the importance of adhering to rules and laws.

Throughout the school day, in behaviour management, school assemblies, and visits, we consistently emphasise the significance of laws not only within the school but also in the wider community and at home. We have high expectations for our pupils, expecting them to display exemplary behaviour both within and outside of school premises. We actively encourage them to engage in discussions about the reasons behind these rules and their individual responsibility to make the right choices.

At St. Luke's, we believe in equipping our pupils with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities. They are made aware that breaking rules comes with consequences, and they understand the sanctions implemented by the school. We also organise planned visits from authorities such as the police, fire services, and local councillors to further reinforce the importance of adhering to laws and the potential consequences of deviating from them.

Our ultimate goal is to instil in our pupils a deep understanding and respect for the rule of law, preparing them to become responsible and law-abiding citizens. By promoting a culture of adherence to rules and laws, we aim to empower our pupils to contribute positively to society and make ethical choices throughout their lives.

Individual liberty

At St. Luke's, we prioritise creating a safe and secure environment where pupils can freely express their opinions and make choices. Through PSHE and E-safety lessons, we guide them in making safe decisions, especially online. We encourage pupils to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, and they have the opportunity to choose their level of involvement in extracurricular activities. Our inclusive approach fosters self-discipline and independence in learning. Additionally, we promote social responsibility through supporting charitable initiatives chosen by the children. Our goal is to empower pupils to make informed choices within a supportive environment, promoting their individual freedom and nurturing their development as independent learners and active contributors to society.

Mutual respect

Mutual respect is an integral part of St. Luke’s ethos and behaviour policy. We continuously reinforce the importance of our school values and ensure that pupils understand how these values translate into their actions. Through the curriculum, including reflective time in lessons and collective worship, we provide opportunities for pupils to reflect on their own contributions to the well-being of themselves and the school community as a whole. We emphasise that their behaviour has an impact on others, and therefore, we expect all members of the school community to treat each other with respect.

Our staff, who come from diverse cultures and faiths, serve as role models for respect and model this behaviour for our pupils. We actively reinforce our values through various means such as displays, newsletters, our website, collective worship, and all curriculum activities. By consistently promoting mutual respect, we aim to create an inclusive and harmonious environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

As a multicultural school, we embrace the opportunity for our pupils to interact with a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. We actively encourage participation in traditional activities and support local and global charities, providing our pupils with opportunities to engage with and contribute to the wider community.

To foster understanding and respect, we incorporate discussions on cultural diversity and social issues into our collective worship, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) lessons, and RE (Religious Education) curriculum. We encourage members of different faiths or religions to share their knowledge with our pupils, and we facilitate an annual faith panel for Year 5 and 6 students to engage in meaningful dialogue and deepen their understanding.

In addition, we organise visits to places of worship as part of our curriculum, allowing our pupils to experience different religious practises first-hand. We prioritise creating a safe and inclusive environment where all pupils feel secure and happy. We have established clear channels of communication, ensuring that every pupil knows who they can talk to if they have any concerns.

Our staff actively challenge any expressions of opinions that contradict fundamental British values. We are vigilant in identifying and addressing any signs of obsessive attitudes or behaviour that may cause concern, and we promptly seek advice from appropriate authorities when necessary.

The positive and inclusive school culture we have cultivated is reflected in our low incidence of bullying or racial incidents. We regularly gather feedback from pupils and parents through questionnaires to ensure that our efforts to create a secure and respectful environment are effective and meet the needs of our school community.

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