British Values
Notre Dame promotes the fundamental British values. Our staff model the values through their own behaviour and teach the values implicitly through every aspect of the curriculum, ensuring equity and excellence for all pupils.
The Governing Body ensures that these values are reflected and implemented effectively in school policy and practice and that there are effective risk assessments in place to safeguard and promote students’ welfare.
Our British Values:
Democracy
Democracy is a central value within the school. Pupils help to shape our school by having their voices heard in class, through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. Children are encouraged to debate, which promotes critical thinking, effective communication, independent research and teamwork: all vital qualities to ensure that they are equipped to fulfil their responsibilities as citizens of a democracy. Pupils grow to appreciate how lucky they are living in a democratic society.
The Rule of Law
Children are taught the importance of laws and rules; whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country. These are consistently reinforced through our Golden Rules, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind these laws: that they govern and protect them, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Pupils are shown how they can contribute to the well-being of those in the locality and beyond, through many events such as supporting charities, local visits and singing and play musical instruments to the elderly.
Individual Liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment where adults are always ready to listen to them. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe learning environment. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and learn how they can do so safely, for example through our E-Safety and Circle Time sessions. Notre Dame School seeks to provide opportunities for pupils to become positive and emotionally resilient with the knowledge and confidence to stand by their own convictions, whilst also respecting others.
Mutual Respect
Our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Value of ‘Respect’. Pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. The Whole School Quality Circle Time Model promotes respect and empathy for others and this is reiterated through the learning of class/school rules, as well as our behaviour policy and mission statement.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Belief
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 further developed by supported learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences to enhance learning within classes and the school. We value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world. Underpinning all of this is a range of curriculum topics which encourages tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. This is particularly evident in some of the R.E. Geography and History topics taught throughout the school promoting global citizenship.
When children leave Notre Dame they will be able to:
- understand their responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society
- have an awareness of how they can maintain the underpinning core British values
- maintain an awareness and respect for the culturally diverse society in which they live