Our school is distinguished by the quality of care provided by a truly successful partnership between home, school and parish in the grounding of the faith. 

This will prepare all our pupils to live as responsible citizens.
 

This is a Catholic school which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ. We promote these values through our words and deeds, and Catholic doctrine and practice, therefore, permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Gen 1:27).

Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world. Catholic Religious Education is the “core of the core curriculum” (Pope St John Paul II) and the foundation of the entire educational process. We also provide a wide range of extracurricular activities and strong pastoral support. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.  

At St Dunstan's Catholic School, we are committed to serving our                                                                                                         community and the local area. In so doing, we reinforce British Values regularly and in the following ways:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty 
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

 
Democracy:
Democratic values are an explicit part of the ethos at St. Dunstan’s. All adults listen to the views of the pupils and value their opinions. Pupils have further opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Pupil Voice interviews. The elections of School Council, Healthy Schools Team and Liturgy Team members are the result of pupil votes and all of these groups canvas the opinions of their peers.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of laws and rules are consistently reinforced in the classroom, as well as through school assemblies. Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws - that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Pupils follow a positive behaviour policy and clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used. Assemblies and discussions in class focus on recognising right from wrong and visits from the Police, Fire Service and NSPCC help to reinforce these messages.
 
Individual Liberty:
Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self-esteem and self-confidence is very important. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. All pupils are keen to support charities, whether local, national or global. They are taught consideration for others through our Religious Education curriculum and PSHE lessons in particular. E-safety teaching enables them to make choices in a safe manner.
 
 Mutual Respect:
Our school’s ethos and behaviour policy are based on Gospel values, with the important commandment being, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. Assemblies constantly promote respect for others and the importance of good manners.  All pupils are taught the importance of self-respect, honest and open communication with others and fair play. Pupils work collaboratively and value others’ opinions.
 
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
As a Catholic worshiping community, pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. This is achieved through our Religious Education curriculum and the spiritual life of the school. Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class. 
 
Please have a look at the School Council section of our website to see how the School Council help to uphold British Values.
 
Please click here to read about what each class has been up to.

Please click here for to read our Students in a Global Society Leaflet
 


Assemblies:
In our assemblies we have: 
·        Discussed times when they have had to make difficult choices by looking at stories where the main characters have made good and bad choices.
·        Looked at stories from all faiths that show we share the same themes of tolerance, forgiveness, caring, love. Looking at how all faiths share the same common values.
·        We acknowledge in our assemblies the main celebrations of our major faiths such as Christmas, Easter, Diwali, Ramadan, Vaisaki, Yom Kippur, etc.
·        We have had talks from NSPCC that looked at children making the right choices and asking them to ensure that they treat each other with respect. The talk from the Cub/Scout leader looked at how we can help all people in our community. 
·        We have had the Riverside performing arts groups into our school and they have explored the themes of conflict resolution and friendship.
·        As a school we brought in lots of goods to take to the local homeless charities at Harvest time and we have raised money for cancer charities through wear pink days as well as contributing to Children in Need when we all dressed as Superheroes. These are all events that impart to our children the need to help all others.
·        Our Houses, which are named after influential Catholic icons from all over the world, we are raising money for many different charities over Lent this year. Again all communities will benefit from this.