Promoting British Values at St Mark’s Primary School

St. Mark’s School is committed through its historical foundation and Instrument of Government to promote Christian values.

This is stated in our Instrument of Government:  

“Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level. The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.”  

The British government has recently asked that we seek to promote British values and we will seek to do so as follows, while maintaining our commitment to the above Instrument of Government.  

Democracy

We have a student council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings. The council has its own budget and is genuinely able to effect change within the school. Every child on the student council is voted in by their class. The School Leadership Team conduct ‘pupil conversations’ every other term and all children have an annual questionnaire where they are able to put forward their views about the school.  

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws and rules whether they be those that govern the the school or the country, are consistently reinforced at St Mark’s.

Pupils are taught the Four Golden Rules of the school from an early age and these are displayed in all classrooms and in the school hall:  

• Be a good friend to all – be kind, polite and respectful.
• Treat your property and that of others with care.
• Always move sensibly and safely around the school.
• Always try your very best.  

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.  

Individual Liberty

At St Mark’s we help our pupils understand the interface between personal rights and responsibilities towards others. 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 informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our eSafety and PSHE lessons.  

Children will often make suggestions and demonstrate their desire to make personal choices by asking if they may run a club, raise money for a chosen charity, introduce a new idea into school life, and change something in school.  

Mutual Respect

This is a core value in our school. Our first Golden Rule is to be a good friend to all – be kind, polite and respectful.

The Christian Values of Trust, Fellowship, Forgiveness, Thankfulness and Friendship are visually evident all around the school.

Positive role models are ensured throughout the day by the interaction between staff.

Mutual respect is fundamental in the ethos and it is encouraged and taught formally and informally throughout the school day, in our before and after school clubs and in all extra-curricular and play activities too.

Respect for the family, members of the local community and beyond is encouraged through our teaching and community involvement.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

St Mark’s is a diverse school. We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons aim to provide for our children a good knowledge and understanding of the Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh faiths as well as the Christian faith and PSHE lessons reinforce the message of tolerance and respect for others.  

Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.