Guidance
The Department for Education in November 2014, provided a list that describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of schools promoting fundamental British values. This is given below:
- an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
- an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their well-being and safety;
- an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;
- an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;
- an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; and
- an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.
At St Augustine’s we promote these values through the curriculum, PSHE, careers, extra-curricular activities and our work with the local community and partnership with other schools. Examples include:
Democracy
- We have a school council and are members of the Trowbridge Youth Parliament
- Students can take part in a variety of debating competitions including Model United Nations and the Young Voice of Trowbridge
- Democratic ideas, the rule of law and the development of British society are explored in a number of curriculum areas including history lessons
- Students and staff vote for Head Boy, Head Girl and senior student team
- Student voice is a feature of the college and students are confident that adults listen to them.
- The college regularly invites MPs and other speakers to a number of events including assemblies, PSHE lessons and RE lessons
- Students access a number of educational visits that have included parliament and work with the local council through the Youth parliament
- Students have experienced mock elections
The Rule of Law
Classes create “class rules” that complement the basic rules that are embedded in college life
- The college has a clear Behaviour for Learning policy and a Behaviour for Excellence policy that is clear to all stakeholders
- The college works closely with the police service and this compliments the strong moral ethos that underpins our Catholic mission. Weekly visits from the community police officer ensures that students have an understanding of the role of law in our society and reinforces the message of right and wrong
- The college highlights the rules of the Church and God in the RE curriculum through, for example, the 10 commandments, the beatitudes and the Precepts of the Church
- We teach about the development of the Rule of Law inspired by Christian values
Individual Liberty
- We encourage students to be independent in their learning
- We provide students with opportunities for reflection as they take responsibility to explore their vocation in life, for example, Vocations day led by the Diocese, careers experiences, PSHE and work related Learning
Mutual respect
- Our mission statement is inclusive
- We constantly promote respect for all
- We reinforce the value of everyone’s opinions through class debates
- We have an effective anti-bullying policy
- We emphasise that every person is unique and “created in the image of God”
- We have active educational links with other schools
- We pride ourselves on the Charitable work undertaken by our students and staff
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
- As a college we promote opportunities for students to explore and gain a deeper understanding of their own faith as well as an awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities as a basis for understanding and respecting them
- We use the gospel values to show that Jesus encouraged Jesus encouraged tolerance through stories such as The Good Samaritan and The Women at the Well
In 1996 the Catholic Bishops of England and wales issued a document entitled ‘The Common Good’. They said ‘ … in the spirit of good citizenship all members of the Catholic Church must accept their full share of responsibility for the welfare of society. We should regard the discharge of those responsibilities as no less important than fulfilling our religious duties and indeed as part of them’. It is with this in mind that St Augustin’s Catholic College fully prepares the young people in our care for a life in modern Britain.
