Aims and Values

Our Aims

Our aims are to:

• Provide a friendly welcome to your child, in a safe, secure and stimulating, Catholic environment in which to enjoy learning. We want children to feel safe, respected and ready.
• Teach the children about Jesus Christ and the values of living as a Catholic.
• Promote high standards of work and behaviour whilst encouraging and supporting children to do their best.
• Create children who go on to become global citizens, contributing to the needs of those around them.
• Teach a broad and balanced curriculum to meet your child’s individual needs.
• Inform parents of their child’s progress at Parents’ Evening and through an annual written report.
• Form a partnership with parents and pupils to celebrate success and overcome any behavioural or learning problems they may have.
• 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.

British Values

The DfE has reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’

As a Catholic school:

• We follow the Gospel teachings – to love God and love one another.
• We follow the example set by Jesus.
• We believe we are all made in the image and likeness of God.
• We show our love for others through contributing to the common good.
• We show our love for others through respect for all members of God’s family and as such reject all discrimination of any kind. We are all made in God’s image.

This forms the basis for all that we do at St. Gerard’s and ensures British Values are an integral part of this.

Democracy

Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil questionnaires. The children have the chance to elect a representative from each of the house groups whom they feel will represent their classes views and who are confident to share feedback from the meetings. School council candidates were required to prepare campaign speeches, similar to an election manifesto, outlining their suitability for the role and their vision for the school. The school council is actively involved in the life of the school and in the decision making processes, including being part of e-safety meetings with staff.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, in the classroom and during school assemblies. As a school, we encourage children to follow the School rules, ensuring positive behaviour is promoted. Through our safeguarding curriculum, Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws that they are there to govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken, which links into our behaviour policy.​

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and investing in a broad education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these choices wisely.

Mutual Respect

This is a fundamental part of our Faith and school ethos. Pupils have regular discussions and assemblies on what respect means and how it is shown to others.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Each year group completes an in-depth study on different cultures and faiths through our World Faith week. Elements of this study is also part of the RE scheme of work. This work is supported by visits to a variety of places of Worship, which enriches the children’s awareness and understanding of other faiths.