Promoting British Values at St Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School
At St Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School, we actively promote Fundamental British Values to ensure that our children are well-prepared for life in modern Britain. These values underpin our school’s mission, curriculum, and daily practices, fostering a community that respects democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for different faiths and beliefs. As a Catholic school, we recognise that these values are rooted in the Christian ethos that guides our teaching and learning.
Democracy
- School Council – Elected by peers, making key decisions, leading assemblies (e.g., attendance), and feeding back to SLT.
- Child-led initiatives – Projects such as reducing single-use plastics, raising money for the library, and supporting charities like Dougie Mac.
- Competitions & External Learning Opportunities – Encouraging children to explore other cultures and global issues, fostering decision-making and active participation.
- Pupil Leadership Teams – Roles such as House Captains, Mini Vinnies, and Reading Champions develop leadership skills.
- Opportunities to Meet Role Models – Visits from host families for Ukrainian refugees, charity workers, and volunteers, inspiring children to take responsibility in society.
- Celebration Assemblies & End-of-Year Awards – Recognising achievements, including those from home, ensuring every child’s voice and effort are valued.
Rule of Law
- School Rules (STARS values) – Clear behaviour expectations in line with the Rule of Law.
- Use of Restorative Practice – Encouraging children to resolve conflicts fairly, modelled by adults.
- Online Safety Programmes – Voice of Hope, Tweensafe, Glow (Relationships without Fear), Ten Ten Programme.
- Visits from External Organisations – Understanding law enforcement, safety, and responsibility (e.g., Rotary Club Shoebox Appeal).
- Community Engagement & Outreach – Writing cards to care home residents, singing in care homes, and supporting local food banks, reinforcing responsibilities to the community.
- Humanities Curriculum – Exploring historical themes of justice, laws, and human rights, linking to real-world responsibilities.
- Bringing the ‘Then into Now’ – Encouraging children to consider their roles in addressing local, national, and global challenges through lawful action.
Individual Liberty
- Rights and Responsibilities – Taught explicitly through the curriculum and school ethos.
- Opportunities to Perform – Including Victoria Hall Dance, St Wulstan’s Got Talent, Rocksteady Concerts, Choir performances (Young Voices, MAC concerts).
- Residential Trips & Day Retreats – Standon Bowers, York, PGL, and Alton Castle encourage independence and personal growth.
- Anti-Bullying Week & Dare to Be Different Day – Fostering self-expression and confidence.
- Wider Curriculum Offer – Including subsidised Care Club for PP children, Breakfast Reading Clubs, and pre-teach phonics/maths clubs, supporting children to make personal choices about their education.
- Inclusive Sports & Activities – Encouraging all children, including those from different backgrounds or with additional needs, to take part in football, cross country, netball, dodgeball, and more.
- Special Days & Weeks – Shakespeare Week, Anti-Bullying Week, Dare to Be Different Day – providing platforms for self-expression and confidence-building.
Mutual Respect & Tolerance for Different Faiths and Beliefs
- Multi-Faith Weeks – Visiting places of worship, meeting people of different faiths, and Indian dance workshops.
- Catholic Social Teaching (CST) Integration – Teaching stewardship, dignity of work, and respect for all.
- Whole-School Charity Focus – Supporting Dougie Mac, CAFOD, Midlands Air Ambulance, Alice Charity, and local food banks.
- Assemblies & Curriculum Links – Weekly assemblies focus on mutual respect, tolerance, and social responsibility.
- Community Engagement & Outreach – Supporting charities like Dougie Mac, CAFOD, Midlands Air Ambulance, and Alice Charity promotes empathy and respect for different circumstances.
- Choir Performances in the Community – Singing in care homes and at local events fosters intergenerational respect.
- Humanities Curriculum Reflecting Cultural Diversity – Learning about the history of slavery, the Holocaust, and Amazonian tribes develops awareness of global struggles and the importance of respect.
- Competitions & External Learning Opportunities – Encouraging children to explore and respect different cultures, traditions, and perspectives.
- Opportunities to Celebrate Diverse Cultures – Sharing traditions in humanities, competitions, and external visits.
By embedding these values in everything we do, St Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School ensures that children leave our school not only academically prepared but also as respectful, responsible, and engaged members of society.
Together, we prepare children for life in modern Britain.