British Values at St. Mary's
At St Mary’s, British Values are deeply woven into the fabric of the school’s Catholic ethos and mission. Guided by The Catholic Social Teaching Principles as well as the Gospel values — such as respect, justice, forgiveness, and service to others — the school aims to develop children not only academically, but spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally. This commitment aligns closely with the core British Values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
British Values
Democracy
St Mary’s promotes democracy in a number of meaningful ways. Pupils have structured opportunities to make their voices heard through pupil surveys, regular meetings with senior leadership, and an open-door policy with the Headteacher, Ms. Egan. They are encouraged to contribute to class and school rules and routines, reflecting how public decisions are made collectively. The school also places a strong emphasis on understanding civic institutions: children learn about how public services operate and may meet representatives from local public bodies, helping them to see how democracy works in real life.
Rule of Law
The importance of rules and laws is made very explicit at St Mary’s. The school’s Behaviour & Discipline Policy is clearly communicated, consistently applied, and understood by pupils. Through assemblies, classroom discussions, and the Religious Education (RE) curriculum, children explore why laws exist, how they protect people, and what responsibilities follow when those laws are broken. In keeping with Christian teaching, justice is underpinned by forgiveness, and restorative approaches are used to help repair harm when behaviour issues arise.
Individual Liberty
St Mary’s fosters a culture in which pupils are aware of their rights and feel empowered to exercise them responsibly. Through PSHE curriculum, circle times, and e-safety lessons, children are taught how to make safe and informed choices. The school provides various forums — for example, ‘worry boxes’ or structured dialogue — where students can express concerns or anxieties, knowing they will be listened to seriously. At the same time, pupils learn that with liberty comes responsibility; they are encouraged to consider the impact of their choices on others, in line with the school’s Gospel values. Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is central to the school’s ethos: the belief that every person is made in the image of God means that dignity and respect are non-negotiable. Pupils are taught to listen to each other, value different opinions, and understand that their behaviour affects others. Through collaborative work, fundraising, and charitable activities, they also learn to reach out to less fortunate communities, reinforcing both service and respect.
Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Although St Mary’s is a Catholic school, it embraces diversity and actively teaches tolerance and understanding of different faiths and beliefs. The RE curriculum and PSHE lessons regularly explore world religions, enabling pupils to learn about other traditions and practices in a respectful way. The school also marks and celebrates religious festivals from various faiths, and invites families or community members to contribute and share their culture. By doing so, students gain a strong appreciation of Britain’s multi-faith, multicultural society and develop empathy, respect, and a readiness to engage with difference positively.
