British Values
British Values is about "helping people to understand how things work and how to challenge and change them".
Impact on pupils:
Understanding how citizens can influence decision making through a democratic process.
Appreciating that living with a rule of law protects individuals and is essential for their well-being and safety.
Freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
Acceptance and tolerance of other people having different faiths and beliefs.
Understand the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.
Understand that the public bodies such as the police and army are accountable to Parliament but others such as the courts are independent.
School should support pupils to:
Have high standards of behaviour and to develop their understanding of right and wrong.
Take responsibility for their actions and understand the consequences of their actions.
Contribute to an ethos of mutual respect throughout the whole school environment.
Participate in a democratic process and understand this process sand the role of public institutions.
Develop their understanding and appreciation of wider issues such as cultural differences and disabilities via Cross curricular days.
Examples are:
Assertive Mentoring.
Explicit rewards procedure that celebrates success Behaviour incident log and regular contact with parents.
Vertical Form groups.
English: Political Parties Unit.
Science: Cloning/Stem cell research, IVF.
History: Civil War, First Parliament.
Key Skills — Year 7: Democracy Day, Voting for all aspects of the lesson.
Cross-Curricular Day (Great British Inventions & Discoveries and Britain at War).
Big Form Debate (Weekly topic for forms to debate).
Big Form Debate inter-house competition
Music: UK and English Folk music, Irish Folk music, Blues Music Charity Work.
Music performances in the local community
Whole School Christmas Song in which every pupil and member of staff takes part.
E-Safety programme.
Assembly programme.
Active school council.
Pupil voice and staff voice.
The Wordsley School is working, through its school ethos and curriculum, to secure the following British values.
Democracy
The School and curriculum provides pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services.
We teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process. Through Citizenship pupils are taught about the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain.
Pupils are encouraged to become involved in decision-making processes and the school ensures that they are listened to in school e.g. school council, pupil voice etc.
The school holds elections for the School council during which pupils learn how to express, argue and defend points of view.
The school curriculum and ethos also teaches pupils how we can peacefully challenge perceived injustice
Rule of Law
As a school we ensure that the school rules and expectations are clear and fair. The school’s ethos and curriculum play a significant role in helping the pupils:
To distinguish right from wrong and to respect the law and the basis on which it is made.
To understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals.
Through police visits to school via both assemblies and curriculum activities.
Through pupils being taught about civil and criminal law; in addition, we look at how this may differ from some religious laws.
Individual Liberty
Through the school ethos and curriculum we:
Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights.
Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence.
Challenge stereotypes.
Implement a strong anti-bullying culture.
Respect & Tolerance
Through the school ethos and curriculum we:
Promote respect for individual difference.
Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
Develop links with faith communities.
Develop critical personal thinking skills.
Discuss differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations, such as looked-after children or young carers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mr A Fisher, Assistant Headteacher, is responsible for our British Values and SMSC provision. He can be contacted through reception on (01384) 816015.