Promoting British Values

Democracy is explored in RE, History and in assemblies. We also have an active Student Council made up of elected year group representatives. The year group representatives are elected from form group representatives. The Student Council meet as a group twice per half term with feedback to SLT. The Form Group representatives meet with their Year Team at least once per term. We also have Student Voice groups in many areas of the school including subjects and student rewards which feedback to middle leaders and SLT.

The importance of Laws, whether they are those that govern the classroom, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school days through our behaviour system. Students learn to manage their behaviours and take responsibilities for their actions. Our behaviour system is applied consistently with predictable sanctions for misdemeanours. Students are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. We have visits from authorities such as the Police, Prison Service, PCSO’s  and Fire service occur throughout the year which reinforce the importance of laws.

We encourage students to be good and valued citizens. Within school, students are encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our online safety lessons and parents internet safety evening. Students make guided curriculum choices going into Year 9. Students can also participate in our many extracurricular clubs.

Through the curriculum students learn to understand the importance of liberty e.g. in History about Civil Rights, Slavery and the Suffragette Movement. Also, in RE students learn about religious freedoms in the UK.  In Business Studies students learn about their rights and responsibilities under laws such as Health & Safety, Freedom of Information, Copyright and Consumer Protection Act.

Respect is one of our core school values. Students learn to treat each other and staff with respect. This is evident when walking around the school and going into classrooms. Visitors to our school comment that this is one of the many strengths of our school. We encourage students to also be respectful in the community. 

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. Through our assemblies, RE, PSHEE and form time discussions we help students to find out about themselves and others and the communities they belong to. We provide opportunities for students to participate in events and celebrations to broaden their experiences and awareness of others. We have trained anti-bullying ambassadors. We have an LGBT hub and raise the awareness of LGBT through assemblies and events.

We believe and actively supports the view that all students should be protected from radicalisation and extremism. Our approach to this is in line with the Government’s PREVENT (stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism) strategies. Staff have received PREVENT training.

We are committed to educating students with regard to their engagement and acceptance with the 'British Value’s of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We aim to support our students in developing and demonstrating skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.