Virtues and Values

As Catholics we believe in the importance of developing a virtuous life. The Catechism describes a virtue as 'an interior disposition, a positive habit, a passion that has been placed at the service of the good.'

Each half term the focus changes and schools across the Archdiocese focus upon the same set of virtues at the same time. The Profile also provides a thematic focus for Collective Worship and SMVSC over a specified length of time. Whilst all of the aspects of the profile are being touched upon the school can really emphasise and experience a particular pair of virtues throughout a half term.

Pupils at Our Lady of Fatima are growing to be:

Grateful for their own gifts, for the gift of other people, and for the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, becoming men and women for others.
Attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices.
Compassionate towards others, near and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words.
Faith-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future.
Eloquent and truthful in what they say of themselves, the relations between people, and the world.
Learned, finding God in all things; and wise in the ways they use their learning for the common good.
Curious about everything; and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can for the better.
Intentional in the way they live and use the resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and prophetic in the example they set to others.

British Values

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and the rule of law through the school virtues.

All pupils are educated in a culture of inclusion, tolerance and mutual respect, providing pupils with a set of values that enables them to play a full part in British society in service of the common good.

Democracy

At Our Lady of Fatima, we:

• provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of and promote respect for public institutions and services;
• hold school council elections;
• help pupils to express their views;
• teach pupils how they can influence decision making.

The Rule of Law

At Our Lady of Fatima, we:

• establish shared rules and expectations (Respect, Care, Listen);
• help pupils to know right from wrong;
• help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made;
• help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals;
• develop a positive approach to conflict and resolution.

Tolerance

At Our Lady of Fatima, we:

• help pupils to acquire an understanding of their own and others' cultures and ways of life;
• challenge prejudicial and discriminatory behaviour;
• organise visits to places of worship.

Individual Liberty

At Our Lady of Fatima, we:

• support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour as well as knowing their rights;
• model freedom of speech through pupil participation and pupil debate;
• challenge stereotypes;
• implement a strong anti-bullying culture, supported by an annual anti-bullying focus week;

Mutual Respect

At Our Lady of Fatima, we:

• promote respect for individual differences;
• develop critical, personal thinking skills;
• discuss differences between people, such as differences such as faith ethnicity, disability, gender or differences in family situations, such as looked-after children or young carers.