British Values
British Values Statement
At King Edward VI School, we want everyone to develop to their full potential; it is our job to enable students to leave us as confident, life-long learners who have a strong sense of responsibility for themselves and for others. Our students are to become global citizens who are able to thrive and play an active part in creating a society based on tolerance, sustainability and enthusiasm.
Therefore we are committed to promoting British values to ensure our pupils leave us fully prepared for their adult life in a global society.
British Values are given a high profile across the school and are displayed in every classroom.
Why do we teach British Values?
Independent schools, including academies, have a statutory duty to actively promote British Values under The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. While maintained schools are not legally required to promote British values, they are required to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils, and the DfE says that British Values should be included within SMSC teaching. The DfE’s ‘The Prevent duty’ guidance also advises that all schools should promote British values to help build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation. The promotion of British values is also highlighted in Ofsted’s ‘School inspection handbook’ as an indicator of good provision under the ‘personal development’ judgement.
The government emphasises that all schools should ensure that they teach pupils about British Values of:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Through the promotion of these values, our school aims to ensure pupils:
- Understand how citizens can influence decision making through the democratic process
- Recognise the advantages of living under the rule of law and how laws protect individuals and are essential for their safety and wellbeing
- Understand that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary and why it exists
- Understand the reasons for accountability of public bodies such as the police and the army and why courts maintain independence
- Know that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
- Accept that other people having different faiths or holding different religious beliefs to oneself should be tolerated and not discriminated against
- Value the importance of identifying and combatting extremism
At King Edward VI School, we promote British Values both within and beyond the classroom and these values are at the heart of our school culture. We have audited the curriculum to identify how and where subject areas and extra-curricular opportunities embed British values in addition to our PSHE curriculum and programme of assemblies. Here are just some of the ways our school seeks to embed the teaching of British Values.
Democracy
Students at King Edward VI School have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. Students engage with regular ‘student voice’ activities, during which they are able to put forward their views about the school. We also have a school council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in year council meetings. The council has its own budget and is able to genuinely effect change within the school. Council members for each year group are voted in by their peers.
Through our PSHE programme students learn about democracy, voting and different political parties, as well as the role of the UK government and other governments around the world.
Some examples of where students learn about democracy in other curriculum areas include in History, where students learn about voting rights and study a unit called the ‘Road to Democracy’; in English, students study 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell which is an allegory about different forms of government and societies; and students who choose Business at GCSE will learn about the role of public sector organisations.
The Rule of Law
At King Edward VI School we have clear Praise and Behaviour policies. Our Code of Conduct of ‘Ready, Respect, Strive’ encompasses what we want to see from all members of our school community so that we can develop a positive and successful learning environment.
Our teachers, student support services, learning support team and pastoral teams all work together in ensuring that students understand rules and responsibilities and the consequences if these are broken. We also endeavour to reward persistently positive behaviour and students who continually excel in their lessons through our rewards system.
Our students are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken. In PSHE lessons, students cover topics such as the UK Legal System, Human Rights, Consumer Protection Laws, Employment Laws and The Equality Act. Other examples of how students learn about laws in curriculum areas include; students study a unit on crime in Geography in Year 7, in Food Technology students will learn about Health and Safety laws, as well as laws related to food labelling.
Individual Liberty
Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, or participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, students are given the freedom to make their own choices here at King Edward VI School.
As a school we educate and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online-Safety lessons.
In lessons, students are given the opportunities to undertake student-led project work in a number of subjects such as Art, Drama, ICT, Design and Technology, Food Technology, History, Geography and Science.
We are very proud at King Edward VI School to provide so many opportunities for students to take up leadership positions within school. A wide range of roles are available for students to undertake, including Library Leaders, Sports Captains, Eco Group Leaders, Academic Mentors, Wellbeing Ambassadors and Prefects.
We aim to establish a positive culture where differences are respected, celebrated and all students feel confident, supported and happy in school. Our recently established diversity group gives students the opportunity to express themselves in a safe environment.
Our PSHE curriculum, supported by our assembly programme, celebrates diversity in a variety of ways. For instance, celebrating Black History Month and Pride Month. Subject areas are also encouraged to highlight the achievements of a diverse range of individuals through their curriculum.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect in line with our school code of conduct ‘Ready, Respect, Strive‘.
King Edward VI School is situated in an area which is not culturally diverse; therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting the appreciation of diversity with the students. All of our students in KS3 and KS4 follow a programme for Religious Studies in which students learn about all world religions, with particular emphasis on Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Students also visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. PSHE teaching around topics such as stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination along with assemblies that regularly celebrate events from a variety of faiths and cultures reinforces this learning.
Prevent Duty
At King Edward VI School we will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
