The excellent range of subjects strongly promotes and sustains students’ academic achievement, preparing them extremely well for life in modern Britain. (Ofsted, 2014)
British Values
Introduction
The school recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
For further information on our safeguarding and preventing extremism and radicalisation policies, please click here.
The government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The school uses strategies within its curriculum and beyond to teach these principles. It also forms part of the social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils at the school. The examples below show some of the many ways we seek to embed British values.
Democracy is a state of society characterised by equality of rights and freedom and where citizens can exercise their power in an electoral system. The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at the school, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community and activities inside and outside of the classroom.
- Elections are held for our pupil leaders – our Prefects and the School Council for example.
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Mock elections held at the school regularly to demonstrate the electoral process and the importance of democracy.
- The principle of democracy is explored in assemblies as well as in the classroom.
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Democracy is also explored through the curriculum such as PSHE and History, studying the background and history of democracy.
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Pupil voice ensures that pupils understand their right to exercise their rights and their views are taken into account as part of decision making.
All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at the school throughout pupils’ school lives.
We provide pupils with the understanding to ensure that the self-discipline will facilitate educational achievement.
- Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the pupils’ code of conduct and expectations
- A home-school agreement also reinforces the above.
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Pupils are taught and consulted on the school’s Discipline and Behaviour Policy and merit system.
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The importance of rules and the law are encountered and discussed during tutor periods, PSHE, assemblies, in the classroom and through our pastoral system. These are also enforced by teachers, pastoral staff and our pupil leaders.
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Educational activities also discuss this topic, such as citizenship workshops, law workshops from visiting speakers and our police liaison officer.
Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Individual liberty is the exercise of rights free from external restraint and outside of government. Pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices through an empowering education.
- Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety.
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The school has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Discipline and Behaviour Policy.
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Pupil voice at the school encourages pupils to exercise their right to express their views which are taken into consideration.
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Pupils are encouraged to make informed choices in their everyday school life, from the classroom to their extracurricular wellbeing.
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Individual liberty is also taught as part of pupil leadership, PSHE and in various subjects including the core, languages and the arts.
This is the proper regard for an individual’s dignity that will allow honest dialogue about values and ideas. Pupils learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environments.
- Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for pupils to express their views in a safe environment.
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This is discussed and practiced in the classroom, in assemblies and through our extracurricular provision, such as our debating society.
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This is also reinforced by our anti-bullying and behaviour policies and promoted by staff and our pupil Equality Champions.
This is achieved through equipping pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community such that it is the norm.
- A culture of tolerance is fostered through celebration. For instance, we celebrate International Day of Languages, History Month and the annual International Evening.
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Pupils are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school – in classrooms and assemblies – and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year.
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The Religious Education curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
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This is also reinforced by our anti-bullying and behaviour policies and promoted by staff and our pupil Equality Champions.
The school aims to ensure that its pupils leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and make a successful contribution to society in modern Britain.