Aims, Values and Ethos

Our Aims

These are the aims of our school:

• To create a happy, caring environment where each child can develop confidence, independence and self esteem.
• To establish good, sound academic standards through high expectation and a broad and balanced curriculum, enabling each child to attain his/her full potential.
• To promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, physical and creative development of each child and prepare each to take his/her place as a valuable member of a multicultural society.
• To foster a love of learning, a respect for each other and a pride in the school as a caring and supportive community.
• To develop all staff and provide ongoing training which will benefit teacher and child alike in our commitment to raising standards in all areas of school life.
• To assist each child to feel confident in a fast changing technological society.
• To develop a working partnership between home and school.
• To develop a sense of responsibility towards each other, the school and the community.
• To create an attractive, stimulating and comfortable environment where staff, children and parents enjoy working.
• To strive to improve and be the best in everything we do.

British Values

The government set out its definition of ‘British values’ in the ‘Prevent Strategy’ (2011). At St. Mark’s these values are regularly promoted through learning and teaching, a rounded programme of assemblies and a positive behaviour policy allowing pupils to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

The promotion of ‘British values’ is central to Catholic education because British values have their origin in the Christian values of our nation.

“We are proud that Catholic schools promote values that are both Catholic and British, including: respect for the individual, democracy, individual liberty, respect, tolerance and inclusiveness. Our schools promote cohesion by serving more ethnically diverse and poorer communities. Catholic schools provide high standards of education which are popular with parents from all social, economic and faith backgrounds.” Paul Barber (Catholic Education Service 15 December 2014).

At St. Mark’s we provide an education that focuses on the formation of the whole person and on our vocation and purpose in life. We are guided by our mission statement ‘Proudly and Joyfully, we Love, Live and Learn as God’s children’ and by the Christian values of vocation and service, respect, compassion, co-operation and stewardship as we reflect on our place and purpose in the world.

We place a significant emphasis on the celebration of individuality and difference within our communities and our calling to work for the Common Good, in the service of others. Our Catholic ethos, which includes explicit reference to Christian and British values, makes a tangible difference to the way we work together and with our wider communities. Within this framework it would be impossible to overlook the government’s view of British values expressed as ‘democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.’

The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values at St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list. At St. Mark’s we recognise, not only the importance of helping pupils to flourish academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, so that they are fully prepared for life in British society and for their role as citizens, able to make the strongest possible contribution to the Common Good of all. We teach the importance of British Values by going much deeper into the meaning of what it means to live a good life, within a framework of Catholic Christian Values. This provides the context and meaning for understanding why British values are important. Our framework for understanding British values draws on the example of Jesus and his welcome and inclusion of all, which is developed in Catholic Teaching.

Democracy

Gospel Virtues: Discerning, eloquent, intentional, prophetic.
School values: Responsibility, inclusion, equality, contribution, honesty, trust, freedom, tolerance, integrity, community and achievement.

Some of the ways we promote this at St. Mark’s:

• Elections for positions of responsibility in school.
• School Council
• Eco-buddies
• Circle Time
• Class Debates – dealing with different viewpoints
• Writing balanced argument in Literacy
• Behaviour Policy – resolving conflict positively and fairly.
• Citizenship – volunteering to help others in the local, Parish, wider and global community.

The Rule of Law

Gospel Virtues: Truthful, generous, learned, active.
School values: Equality, challenge, contribution, responsibility, integrity, trust, community, teamwork and honesty.

Some of the ways we promote this at St. Mark’s:

• School Behaviour Policy
• Visits and talks from PC Sam O’Dell (our police community support officer)
• Cop Swaps initiative
• Internet Safety training
• Ethos / Gospel Virtues – helping children to distinguish between right and wrong.
• Teaching of Gospel Values and Biblical Stories – model to children people making the right choice, even in difficult situations.

Individual Liberty

Gospel Virtues: wise, curious, faith- filled, grateful
School values: Honesty, humility, courage, freedom, teamwork, perseverance, determination, curiosity, growth and spirituality.

Some of the ways we promote this at St. Mark’s:

• Work on Vocations – we encourage children to recognise their talents and fulfil their potential.
• All children are treated equally, fairly and given the same opportunity to take part in activities and experiences.
• Behaviour Policies and Procedures put emphasis on children being responsible for their own actions.
•  Pupil Voice – allows children to express their own views about school and take action.
• Stereotypes are challenged throughout school.
• Freedom of speech is modelled through pupil participation in class discussions, dialogue with staff, pupil questionnaires and the knowledge that children can speak freely and openly to staff members (open door policy).

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Gospel Virtues: loving, hopeful, compassionate, attentive
School values: Inclusion, equality, tolerance, communication, courage, appreciation, teamwork, understanding, perseverance, determination, loyalty, acceptance, faith, confidence, determination, family, spirituality, achievement, community, charity

Some of the ways we promote this at St. Mark’s:

• Multicultural Week – Children explore different faiths and visit other places of worship. They also learn about other celebrations (ie. Diwali and Chinese New Year.)
• Children experience and learn about music from all over the world (African drumming and Indonesian music workshop).
• Children learn about the lives of people from other places in the world.
• RE programme of study includes work on different faiths.
• Children in Key Stage 2 are learning to speak Greek.
• Children have access to a range of books which explore other faiths and cultures.