British Values
At St Joseph’s High School, we are committed to the promotion of the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We recognise this is most successful when these values are promoted by all staff, who are positive role models for our pupils. British values are promoted not only through the curriculum but also through student experiences, displays, assemblies, the behaviour system, and extra-curricular clubs and off timetable events,
We promote democracy through:
- Student leadership
- Through our Personal Development curriculum, as well as through the wider curriculum
- Election of Head Boy & Head Girl, and encouraging our students to have a say on school issues, such as our uniform policy.
- Student voice on key areas of school life.
- Students are encouraged to voice their thoughts across all curriculum areas by responding to teacher feedback in books, careful questioning by staff, the work they produce and classroom dialogue.
We promote individual liberty through:
- Being introduced to a range of beliefs and issues so that they are able to make more informed choices for themselves and ask critical questions in a safe environment
- Our broad and varied curriculum equips students with the knowledge and skills to broaden the choices they make about future employment and education
- Offering opportunities for choice – students can choose extra-curricular activities, curriculum choices in KS4, how they approach their learning, choice of activities and trips.
We promote the rule of law through:
- Policies that apply to everyone – Behaviour, Safeguarding etc
- Clear and fair school rules – Teacher’s Standards and Code of Conduct, students Behaviour Policy and St Joseph’s Way.
- We foster a culture of respect for rules and authority through lessons, assemblies and show how school rules mirror the laws of the land.
- We liaise closely with outside agencies including the police; the police visit the school and deliver assemblies on issues important to students.
- A restorative practice/restorative justice approach to resolve conflict and help students learn from their mistakes.
We promote mutual respect through:
- Behaviour Policy and code of conduct that apply to everyone.
- Acknowledge important cultural events to promote understanding and respect for different faiths and traditions.
- Clear expectations and consistent approach, staff modelling behaviour consistently using respectful language and positive interactions.
- Praise and rewards system to acknowledge and reward students who show respectful behaviour and contribute to the school community.
- Inclusivity – School Equality Duty and Equal Opportunities policies
- Curriculum areas such as Religious Studies, Personal Development, Languages and Arts help students to learn about a wide range of people, cultures and beliefs
- The St Joseph’s Way – Mutual respect is a fundamental part of being ‘the best you can be’.
We promote tolerance of those with different beliefs and faiths through:
- Celebrating the variety of cultures, faiths and beliefs in our school.
- The curriculum helps students to learn about a wide range of people, cultures and beliefs and so develops students’ ability to make informed decisions, form and be confident in their own identity and understand and respect that of others
- Assemblies celebrate and draw inspiration from festivals and teachings from a range of different faiths and cultures
- Challenging negative stereotypes and discriminatory behaviour at all levels.
- An inclusive ethos – every child seen as an individual who is loved.
