Citizenship and Fundamental British Values at St Michael’s Church of England High School
At St Michael’s Our Christian vision is for every pupil, as well as staff and our wider community, to grow in body, mind, and spirit—to flourish as a child of God, and experience the joy of ‘life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10). This vision underpins all that we do, including our commitment to preparing pupils to become thoughtful, responsible citizens of modern Britain.
As part of our approach to citizenship education, we promote and embed key British values through a wide range of school life and curriculum experiences. These include:
- Democracy – Through participation in mock elections, student leadership opportunities, and visits to Parliament, pupils develop a strong understanding of democratic processes and civic responsibility.
- The Rule of Law – Our teaching on justice and the UK legal system empowers pupils to appreciate the importance of laws and their role in society.
- Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect – Pupils are encouraged to think critically, express themselves freely, and respect others of different faiths and beliefs. This is reflected across our curriculum, worship, and pastoral support.
We also equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to be active, engaged citizens through four key strands of our Citizenship curriculum:
- Government, politics, and democracy
- Law and the UK justice system
- Active citizenship, including volunteering
- Critical thinking and managing money
These are supported by activities such as Christian Values Enrichment days, pupil voice initiatives, mock interviews, and careers education.
As a Church of England school, we strive to model courageous advocacy and the pursuit of justice, challenging prejudice and promoting inclusion in all its forms. By living out these values, our pupils grow into informed and principled individuals ready to make a positive difference in their communities and our rapidly changing world.
