As a Catholic school, our commitment to the Fundamental British Values grows naturally from our belief in the dignity of every human person, our responsibility towards the common good and our call to love our neighbour. Schools are expected to actively promote:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At St Bonaventure’s, these are not treated as a separate or occasional topic. They are encountered through our curriculum, Religious Education, personal development programme, assemblies and collective worship, student leadership and democratic participation, charitable and social action, behaviour and relationships, and the wider life of the school.
| Fundamental British Value | How our virtues help us live it |
|---|---|
| Democracy | Hope, Humility and Kinship encourage participation, listening to others, responsible leadership and working together for the common good. |
| Rule of Law | Integrity and Courage help students understand right and wrong, accept responsibility and appreciate why just laws and agreed rules protect individuals and communities. |
| Individual Liberty | Faith, Courage and Integrity develop confidence, conscience and responsible freedom, while recognising that our choices must respect the rights and dignity of others. |
| Mutual Respect | Charity, Humility and Kinship call us to treat every person with dignity, listen to others and challenge prejudice, discrimination and disrespect. |
| Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs | Faith, Charity, Humility and Kinship enable students to be secure in their own Catholic identity while encountering people of other faiths and beliefs, includin |
Preparing young people for life in modern Britain
We want students to leave St Bonaventure’s not simply knowing these values, but able to live them. Through opportunities to debate, vote, lead, serve, encounter different beliefs and cultures, challenge injustice and contribute to their communities, students learn that citizenship involves both rights and responsibilities.
Our aim is to form young people who are secure in their identity, able to think for themselves, willing to listen to others and ready to contribute to the common good.
This is what it means to Live, Love and Learn in the Presence of the Lord – living our values faithfully within the diverse society we share.
Equality, Diversity and Protected Characteristics
At St Bonaventure’s, we believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inherent dignity which must be recognised and respected.
Our virtues of Faith, Charity, Integrity, Courage, Humility and Kinship call us to welcome others, challenge prejudice and discrimination, and build a community in which every person is treated with dignity and respect.
Students learn about the protected characteristics recognised in law, and are helped to understand the diversity of the society in which they live. Through the curriculum, Religious Education, personal development, Celebration of the Word (assemblies) and the wider life of the school, they encounter different cultures, religions, beliefs, experiences and perspectives.
As a Catholic school, we recognise that respect does not require agreement on every question. It does require us to listen, to seek understanding, to reject discrimination and prejudice, and to treat every person with kindness and dignity. In this way, we prepare our students to be confident in their own identity while living respectfully alongside others and contributing positively to our diverse society.