At St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School, British Values are not taught in isolation — they are lived out every day through our Gospel Values and our Catholic mission to “Serve with Love and Strive for Excellence.”
We believe that preparing our children to be responsible, compassionate and respectful citizens is an essential part of our vocation as Catholic educators. As they grow in faith, we support them to understand the world around them, appreciate its diversity, and become active contributors to society — locally, nationally and globally.
How Our Gospel Values Support British Values
We actively promote the core British Values of Democracy, The Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect, and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs, while grounding these in our Christian faith and Gospel Values, including Respect, Fairness, Love, Fellowship, Wisdom, Courage, Hope and Service.
🗳️ Democracy — Fairness, Fellowship, Respect
We teach our children that everyone has a voice and a right to be heard.
-
Children participate in democratic votes to elect School Officers and representatives.
-
They are encouraged to listen respectfully, share opinions, and work collaboratively to make decisions that serve the common good.
-
Classroom voting (e.g. reward choices) reinforces fairness and shared responsibility.
By learning about democracy, children begin to understand how to contribute to society with integrity and respect for others.
🕊️ Individual Liberty — Wisdom, Courage, Hope
We nurture each child’s ability to make choices guided by Gospel values and the teachings of Jesus.
-
Children are encouraged to make “good” and “wise” choices, with the support of our PSHE and RE curriculum.
-
DOJO points and classroom reward systems celebrate individual responsibility and effort.
-
We equip children with e-safety knowledge, teaching them how to act safely and wisely online.
Individual liberty is about freedom with responsibility — helping children recognise their own worth and the impact of their actions.
⚖️ The Rule of Law — Justice, Respect, Love
We emphasise the importance of laws — in school and society — as a foundation for peace, fairness and safety.
-
Our School Rules ‘Ready, Respectful, Kind’, our Behaviour policy, and KiVa Anti-Bullying programme promote clear expectations.
-
Children learn that Gospel values like respect, forgiveness and care for others are reflected in the rule of law.
-
Through assemblies and class discussions, we highlight how justice and love must work together in building a safe and moral community.
🤝 Mutual Respect — Love, Respect, Fellowship
Jesus taught us to love our neighbour as ourselves.
-
Our school is built on relationships that reflect mutual respect and kindness.
-
Celebration worship, RE lessons, and daily interactions reinforce the belief that each person is made in the image and likeness of God.
-
Children learn to recognise and celebrate the dignity and gifts of others, even when they have different views or experiences.
Respect is not just expected — it is modelled and lived in our community.
✝️ Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs — Wisdom, Fairness, Fellowship
Rooted in our Catholic identity, we teach children to appreciate the faith and beliefs of others with open hearts and minds.
-
Through the new RED curriculum, To Know You More Clearly and Come and See, children explore other world religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism.
-
We organise educational visits to places of worship, and invite speakers into school to share their experiences.
-
Celebrations of religious and cultural festivals (e.g. Eid, Chinese New Year, Ramadan) foster empathy, dialogue and appreciation of diversity.
We believe that tolerance grows through knowledge, respect, and shared experience — and that love knows no boundaries.
A Values-Driven Community
Our Gospel Values don’t sit beside British Values — they enhance and enrich them.
By living out hope, service, love and courage, our children become confident, compassionate and responsible citizens — ready to take their place in a diverse and ever-changing world.
“Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 13:34
