Fundamental British Values

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to understand:

Democracy – To be part of a system where everyone plays an equal part. At St Thomas More, children play an active role in voting for House Captains, Vice, Captains, Eco-Warriors and Beacons (Chaplaincy Team). Children are aware that they live in a democratic society where they are entitled to a vote and a voice.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs - To learn about the wider community through the study of other world faiths. Children look at other faiths and explore and discover the similarities with their own. They mutually respect that we all have different beliefs and values.

Mutual Respect - To be respectful of all points of view and opinions. At St Thomas More we demonstrate mutual respect for both adults and children within school and wider community. Children are given responsibility to help and support each other, via our playground leadership programme, school council, house captains, vice captains and sports captains; working together to ensure all children achieve their personal best.

Individual Liberty – To be free and be given opportunities to express views or ideas. Our children are provided with a secure and happy environment which allows them to think about and make informed choices in their lives both in and out of school. Our curriculum enables children to be passionately involved in both school and community based activities of their choice.

Rule of Law – To learn that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable for their actions and behaviour. To know that as a school we follow a rule of law (golden rules), the reasons behind them and the consequences that apply when they are broken.

Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural

At St Thomas More we understand that every child deserves an enriched education that is underpinned by Spirituality, Morality, Social skills and a Cultural awareness. This is developed and promoted through the teaching of PSHE and RE. Our PSHE education can help to reduce or remove many of the barriers to learning experienced by pupils, significantly improving their capacity to learn and achieve. It makes a significant contribution to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, their behaviour and safety and the school’s statutory responsibility to promote pupils’ wellbeing. In addition the learning provided through a comprehensive PSHE education provision is essential to safeguarding pupils. We aim to ensure that every child’s education is meaningful and appropriate to their age, aptitude and background. We offer every child a range of opportunities to reflect upon, and to discuss their beliefs, moral values and feelings and respond to personal experiences. Through our Catholic faith and moral teachings children will have a strong personal sense of morality. Our children will be resilient to the influence of others and have their own mind, remaining faithful to the values that are important to them.