“Love your neighbour as yourself” – Matthew 22:39

At Gunnersbury Catholic School, we actively promote positive, inclusive values. These include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect for and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

We believe British values are those values expected of anyone living in Britain, regardless of their nationality, culture or religious belief. Our ethos reflects these values. We place great emphasis on building positive relationships in school, amongst the students themselves and between staff and students. We strongly believe students should not merely be taught such values but that they should also be embedded into school life through a broad and balanced curriculum that includes specific Personal Development lessons as well as a focus on social, moral, cultural and spiritual development across all subject areas.

At Gunnersbury students will encounter these principles throughout everyday school life. The curriculum is mapped in detail across the school. British Values support us to create an environment free from discrimination, intolerance and hate and help us to challenge prejudice and stereotyping, whilst strengthening relationships within the community.

How do we promote British Values at Gunnersbury?

• Assemblies throughout the year that focus on the five different strands of British Values – Democracy, the rule of law individual liberty, mutual respect, tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
• An active student Council where students stand and vote in an election in their form groups. Student Council reps are then elected.
• Student voice is encouraged throughout the school, during department reviews student voice is completed and shared with the department area to act on.
• Students are taught across the curriculum and in extra-curricular events to debate and argue as would happen in British democracy. In English, History and Drama debates takes place regularly but pupils also have the opportunity to debate topics which are relevant to them in form time, PSHE and other curriculum areas.​
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance – Students are taught about a range of faiths throughout the RE curriculum but these topics are taught in all curriculum areas and through the way we treat pupils and expect them to be treated in school.
• Human Rights with a focus on Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect is taught as part of the RE curriculum
• Stereotypes are challenged in in lessons. Throughout lessons students express their views but are challenged to consider evidence and are presented with various sources to help with their own decision making.
• Throughout our school systems British Values are demonstrated. Student reflection booklets completed by students following for poor conduct or following any incident of bullying which allows students time to consider their own behaviour (individual liberty and rule of law)
• Prefect System encourages leadership, mutual respect and individual liberty.
• Charity events throughout the year (mutual respect/tolerance)