British Values

Please click here for information on how Christ the King prepares pupils for life in Modern Britain.

At Christ the King Primary School a fundamental aim of the school is to offer a curriculum that develops children so they become responsible, informed  citizens and doesn’t merely impart knowledge. Our aim is to offer a curriculum with the development of children at the heart, so that they will grow into young people who will take an active and positive part in the communities in which they live. 

We want to develop the children so they become closer to God, but also to develop them so that they live and work in a multi-cultural society, respecting and valuing all aspects of it.   Our Catholic Mission is to live out our school motto:  Christ be our light and our guide. 

We don’t try to teach the pupils to simply name and remember the British Values, it is more about living these values out.

Democracy: This is a word often used, but not always defined. At Christ the King  we believe that  it just means that everyone who lives in a particular country or a community and even a school can get involved in the way that country is run. For children we begin by teaching them from their perspective: when they and their friends have different ideas about what game to play – how do they decide what to do?

The fairest way could be to have a vote and go with what the majority want.  Children are taught to respect other people’s views and to accept other people’s decisions when it’s for the good of the majority. This is developed in lessons, at playtimes and throughout school life. The most common type of democracy is called a representative democracy where people are chosen to vote on all the decisions.

They are chosen by the people in an election – that’s another word for a vote! Children decide on their class representatives each year (One World, School Council, Eco Warriors, Librarians, Health Living). They make it very clear what they believe in and then it’s up to the children to vote for those they think would best represent them. The children also support local councils such as Thornaby Council and the mayor visits the school so the children can hear about how people, who are elected, help them. The older children also visit London to see Parliament and to visit Downing Street.

The rule of law: It is important for children to realise that rules are there to protect the common good. In school we have golden rules in every classroom and these are discussed at the beginning of each academic year.  Teachers revisit these rules with the children when appropriate.  It is from these starting points that children need to learn that rules are there to help protect all and they help our communities and they protect people. The school enjoys a positive relationship with the local police and we host Citizenship visits to help the older children understand in greater depth the importance of laws.

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 safely, through 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, or of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect: Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’. Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown.  All adults working in school must model this through their actions so this is promoted. The school works hard to ensure its behaviour policy is lived out by all within the school and takes positive action when any person may act in a way contrary to this. Mutual respect is something that must be lived and experienced in school and in society.

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. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

The children are taught about the key world faiths and always seek to work with the wider community in any  way possible.  All of these values are central to our beliefs as a Catholic school. They are at the very core of all we do.

We have a moral responsibility to ensure that our children simply don’t learn about these values but they live them out and respect them. These are not values to be learnt about: they are values that need to be developed and grown within our children. It is therefore paramount that all of us show example and leadership in promoting these values.

As a school community we need to live these values out and be role models to our children. The school ensures that these are promoted through our actions and also incorporates them into the curriculum, at an age appropriate level, so the children and society benefit.