Our Values

Holy Cross is a Catholic school which seeks to live out the values of Jesus Christ.

Our school uniform bears the motto:

Facta non Verba.
(Deeds not Words)

Here at Holy Cross Primary School, we recognise not only the importance of helping students to flourish academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, so they are fully prepared for life in British society and for their role as citizens.

It is our aim to for pupils to make

the strongest possible contribution to the Common Good of all.

We teach the importance of British Values by going much deeper into the meaning of what it means to live a good life, within a framework of Catholic Christian Values. This provides the context and meaning for understanding why British values are important. Our framework for understanding British values draws on the example of Jesus and his welcome and inclusion of all, which is developed in Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic doctrine and practice permeates every aspect of our school’s activity. We provide a Catholic curriculum, which is broad and balanced, recognising that every pupil is unique and is created in the image of God (Gen 1:27). Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to discern their vocation and to be well-equipped to follow it as active citizens in service to the world.

In our school, Catholic Religious Education is the “core of the core curriculum” (Pope St John Paul II) and the foundation of the education we provide for pupils. We provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities and strong pastoral support. We incorporate democratic principles, value the rule of law, support individual liberty and foster a community in which different faiths and beliefs are respected.

Our Values

At Holy Cross, six core values underpin everything that we do, everything that we teach and everything that we aspire for our pupils to be when they leave us;

Moral - knowing the difference between right and wrong

Grateful - being thankful for the many blessings in our lives

Resilient - never giving up, never settling, always aspiring

Kind - thinking of others in our deeds and in our words

Curious - always thinking, always wondering

Independent - learners, thinkers and citizens of the community and the world

DEMOCRACY 

Democracy is an extremely important value here at Holy Cross.

Pupils always have the opportunity to have their voices heard. We actively promote the equality of rights and privileges.

• We highlight the development of democracy in history lessons through our curriculum programme
• Pupils are allowed to vote for sports captains, class monitors and liturgical leaders
• We ensure that all pupils are listened to by adults
• Our Year 6 pupils have the opportunity to visit parliament
• Local councils are invited in to school to talk to children
• All children are asked to contribute and provide feedback through pupil questionnaires

THE RULE OF LAW

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, our school, or the country, is consistently reinforced throughout every day at Holy Cross.  

• At the beginning of the year, each class creates their own “class rules”
• We have a clear behaviour policy that is explained to all pupils, staff and parents
• We regularly organise visits from the police service and fire service to reinforce the message of right and wrong
• We highlight the rules of the Church and God in the RE curriculum, for example the 10 commandments
• Trips to the British Library during a learning topic about the Magna Carta
• Through our varied curriculum, pupils are taught about the development of the Rule of Law in English Law, a legal system created uniquely in a Catholic England, inspired by Christian values and becoming a major influence across the world

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

At Holy Cross, pupils are encouraged to make independent choices knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment.

As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely.  

From as early as Nursery, we teach pupils to see themselves as unique individuals able to make a unique contribution to the Holy Cross community and beyond. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely, for example through Circle Times and our exploration of E-Safety.

• Pupils are always encouraged to be independent in their learning
• We provide pupils opportunities to be responsible (class monitors, liturgical leaders, whole school responsibilities)
• Pupils are have investigated the history of the Magna Carta and how this might be adapted for the digital age.