Our virtues: Citizenship • Service • Respect & Courtesy

We want our children to understand that their voices matter and that they can make a positive contribution to their school, local community and wider world.

Children experience democracy at St Nicholas through:

• electing and participating in our School Council and other pupil leadership/voice groups;
• contributing their views through pupil voice, questionnaires, discussions and surveys;
• taking on positions of responsibility within school;
• participating in groups such as Mini Vinnies, Eco Warriors, Chaplaincy, Sports LeadersLibrarians;
• discussing and debating different viewpoints and learning to listen respectfully to the opinions of others;
• exploring fairness, justice and decision-making across the curriculum;
• writing and presenting balanced arguments;
• volunteering and taking action to support our school, parish, local and global communities.

Children learn that democracy is about more than voting. It means having a voice, listening to others and taking responsibility for the communities to which we belong.

Our virtues: Honesty • Self-control • Wisdom. 

Children are taught why rules and laws are important in creating communities where people can feel safe, respected and treated fairly.

Children develop their understanding of the Rule of Law through:

• our clear school expectations and Behaviour Policy (found on our policies page);
• classroom rules, routines and expectations;
• understanding that rights are accompanied by responsibilities;
• learning about choices, actions and consequences;
• opportunities to learn about the role of the police and others who help to keep our communities safe;
• teaching about online safety and responsible behaviour online;
• learning to distinguish between right and wrong through RE, Scripture, our virtues and the wider curriculum;
• reflecting on responsibility, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Through these experiences, children understand that laws exist to protect individuals and communities and that everyone has a responsibility to respect them.

Our virtues: Confidence • Courage • Trust

Our Catholic faith teaches us that every person is unique, valued and loved by God. We encourage children to develop confidence and independence, understand their rights and recognise the rights of others.

At St Nicholas, children are supported to:

• make appropriate choices within a safe and supportive environment;
• develop independence and take increasing responsibility for their learning;
• recognise their individual gifts, talents and potential;
• take on responsibilities and leadership roles within school;
• express their opinions appropriately through discussions and pupil voice;
• understand how to keep themselves safe, including online;
• recognise and challenge stereotypes;
• know that they can speak openly to trusted adults in school;
• understand that freedom also brings responsibility for the choices we make.

We want our children to develop the confidence and courage to make informed choices, while understanding how their choices and actions can affect others.

Our virtues: Respect & Courtesy • Kindness • Friendship • Love of Neighbour

Our school mission, “Love one another, as I have loved you,” is at the heart of how we treat one another at St Nicholas.

We teach children that every person is worthy of dignity, kindness and respect, regardless of their background, beliefs or individual differences.

Mutual respect is developed through:

• positive and respectful relationships between children and adults;
• explicitly teaching and modelling good manners, kindness and courtesy;
• listening respectfully to different opinions during discussions and debates;
• learning about equality and challenging stereotypes;
• our work around anti-bullying and respectful relationships;
• recognising and celebrating the individual gifts and achievements of others;
• opportunities to work collaboratively with different children;
• charitable work and service to others;
• our Catholic teaching about the dignity and worth of every human person.

Children learn that we do not have to agree with somebody in order to listen to them, value them and treat them with respect.

Our virtues: Love of Neighbour • Friendship • Wisdom • Kindness

As a Catholic school within a diverse community, we want our children to develop a genuine understanding of and respect for people whose religion, beliefs, traditions or experiences may be different from their own.

Children develop this understanding through:

• learning about other religions and worldviews through Religious Education;
• learning from and about people of different faiths and beliefs;
• visiting different places of worship and engaging with our diverse local community;
• exploring different religious celebrations, traditions and practices;
• learning about the cultures and traditions represented within our school community;
• accessing books and resources which positively represent a diverse range of people, families, cultures and experiences;
• exploring music, art, literature, history and geography from Britain and across the wider world;
• challenging prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes in an age-appropriate way;
• learning from Scripture, including Jesus' example of welcoming and showing compassion towards others.

Children learn that people can hold different beliefs and opinions while living alongside one another with respect, understanding and kindness.