School Ethos (Including British Values)

St Thomas More Catholic High School is a Catholic School, and as such we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ in our work, worship and relationships.

Our Aims are:

  • To be a community based on Christian values, notably Love, Justice, Peace, Truth and Tolerance, and to encourage individuals in their commitment to these ideals.
  • To provide a secure, welcoming and ordered environment in which individuals learn to value and respect both themselves and others.
  • To give individuals the opportunities to develop their full potential as human beings, and to encourage and challenge them to do so.
  • To encourage everyone to strive to do their best and to strive for the highest standards in all areas of activity.
  • To help children to grow into confident, open, resourceful young people with a sense of responsibility and of service.

Governors and staff are committed to working together to make these aims a reality in the daily, working life of the school.

School Chaplaincy

Promotion of British Values

At St Thomas More Academy 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).

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

At St Thomas More we recognise, not only the importance of helping students to develop academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Within a framework of Catholic Christian Values, we teach the importance of British Values by going much deeper into the meaning of what it is to live a good life. We actively promote the values of democracy and tolerance through the example we set as teachers and the behaviour we expect from students.

Our Mission statement embodies Catholic Ethos whilst promoting British Values;
“To be a prayerful community based on Christian Values, notably Love, Justice, Peace, Truth and Tolerance and to encourage individuals in their commitment to these ideals”
“To provide a secure, welcoming and ordered environment in which individuals learn to value and respect both themselves and others”

Our framework for understanding British values draws on the example of Jesus and his welcome and inclusion of all, which is developed in Catholic Social Teaching.

The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.

Democracy

  • Taking part in debates – students are encouraged to share opinions where appropriate in lessons. Taking part in debate competitions via the Catholic Partnership
  • Highlighting the development of democratic ideas in History, PSHE and RE
  • Voting for form reps and student council reps
  • Campaigning and voting for Young Mayor in North Tyneside
  • Ensuring all pupils are listened to by adults
  • Inviting speakers to the school
  • Student voice is used to canvas student opinions
  • Participating in the Diocesan Youth Council
  • Sixth Form student leadership
  • Year 11 enrichment leadership

The Rule of Law

  • Having a clear behaviour policy that is explained to all

  • Highlighting the rules of the Church and God in the RE curriculum, for example the 10 commandments and the Precepts of the Church

  • PSHE studying the law and its developments

  • Individual Liberty

  • Encouraging students to be independent in their learning

  • Mutual respect is emphasised and lived out in the school mission

  • Having a mission statement that is inclusive

  • Constantly promoting respect for others as good manners

  • Reinforcing the value of everyone’s opinions in class debates

  • Having an effective anti-bullying policy

  • Emphasising in RE and PSCHE lessons that every person is unique and “created in the image of God”

  • Remembrance Activities and visit to Battlefields

  • Supporting charitable works

  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

  • Religious Education provides pupils with a deep understanding of their own faith as well as awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities throughout KS3 as a basis for understanding and respecting all. At GCSE Catholic Christianity is taught alongside Islam as a comparative world religion.

  • Support for the Holocaust Trust and annual trip to Auschwitz, Holocaust memorial day marked with activities off timetable including a Holocaust survivor visit

  • PSHCE inputs on tolerance and Human rights

  • A freely accessible chapel which is open for all faiths to use