British Values & Protected Characteristics

The Department for Education state that there is a need "to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs." The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014.

As a Catholic school which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ, we promote these values by our words and deeds, and Catholic doctrine and practice therefore permeates every aspect of the school’s activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God:

‘So God created humanity in his own image, in the image of God he created them’ Genesis 1:27.

Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.

Promoting British Values

The British Values include:

• Respect for law

• Democracy

• Individual liberty

• Mutual Respect

• Tolerance

Children at St. Monica's are encouraged to have a voice. Opportunities to vote for school and class representatives are available to the children and the opinions of all are valued and welcomed. The children are encouraged to understand the civic duty and responsibility associated with casting a vote.

These are all embedded through the teachings of the Gospels, which are woven through all aspects of the curriculum and school life. Respect for law and order begins as the children enter the school and respect themselves, each other, the property of the school, their place in it and that of the wider community.

Protected Characteristics

It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of:

• age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, sexual orientation.

These are called protected characteristics. In UK law, individuals are protected under the Equality Act 2010 from these types of discrimination.

The dignity of the human person is central to the life and teaching of the Catholic Church.

As a school, St Monica's uses the ‘Ten:Ten Life to the Full plus‘ program to support in the delivery of RHE and PSHE.  It is a program for Catholic Primary schools which aims to put the God-given dignity of the human person at the core of the teaching. See more information on Curriculum - PSRHE page.