Promoting British Values
Promoting British Values
Promoting British Values
At Fred Longworth High School, our core ethos ensures that students learn about key British Values of tolerance, commitment to democracy and the value of showing respect for one another. Students are constantly reminded that Belonging, Engaging, Succeeding TOGETHER means that we succeed when we work as a coherent community, regardless of any perceived differences amongst us. British Values permeate through our curriculum, and this demonstrates our commitment to develop ‘the whole child’.
This ethos underpins the duty placed on all schools to actively promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and mutual respect, including for those with different faiths or no faith. The duty placed on schools is intended to enhance the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students and to strengthen the barriers to extremism.
As part of our wider safeguarding work, all staff have training on the ‘Prevent’ strategy; additional training has been provided for those who are heavily involved in the pastoral care of students, including for Heads of Year and members of the safeguarding team.
We are committed to promoting British Values at all levels; these are demonstrated and consistently reinforced through the curriculum, the pastoral curriculum, assemblies and personal development lessons.
Democracy:
Students have a key role in school decision-making through participation in the School Council, Form Representatives, Sports Leaders, and Prefects and through their participation in regular student surveys. The student School Council has been instrumental in the development of the uniform, acquisition of seating for students around the site and the rewards system. Student panels are involved in the appointment of all new staff. Effective use of Student Voice ensures our students are able to exercise their democratic rights and students feel they are a big part of decisions made in our school.
Rule of Law:
Our Behaviour Policy is established and consistently used across the school. It reflects the rule of law in the wider community; misbehaviour is dealt with appropriately and looks to provide rehabilitation, retribution, protection and deterrence. The school has a successful restorative justice scheme. School rules and expectations are transparent, clear and fair, and are used consistently across the different areas and age groups. Our students learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. Our staff are committed to providing a consistent and predictable environment which ensure students feel safe and secure. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to learn about the purpose of the rule of law, especially within PSHE and Humanities. Students examine how values underpin the rule of law and the ways in which laws govern and protect us.
Individual Liberty:
Every student is treated as an individual, and students are actively encouraged to be themselves through the wider curriculum. All students can participate in extra-curricular activities outside of the classroom. There is a diverse programme of activities and clubs including music, sport, drama and art. Students are rewarded for their participation in extra-curricular activity.
Students are actively encouraged to make choices, whilst knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment. Our pastoral system has a focus on support: form tutors and Heads of Year actively encourage students to think about the reasons for their choices and seek to help individuals to make the right decisions for the right reasons.
Mutual Respect:
We value the opportunity to be part of a community and encourage all members of our school community – staff, students, parents, trustees and visitors – to respect our nurturing learning environment in which manners, politeness and respect for all are upheld.
Respect underpins the Behaviour Policy and every aspect of our classroom and school rules. The school’s success is built upon the foundation of excellent relationships. We actively promote good citizenship and community values. Students are encouraged to maintain zero tolerance on any anti-social behaviour or prejudice towards any member of the school community.
Tolerance:
The ethos of the school is central in promoting the value of tolerance and the school has a fundamental duty to challenge those who fall below this standard. We understand the importance of increasing a student’s understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society; students are given opportunities to experience that diversity. Staff, students and parents actively support our inclusive ethos. Staff model the behaviours expected and instil within students to need for tolerance and respect. All students are taught about prejudice and discrimination in all its varieties across the curriculum. The Humanities, the Arts and English play a particularly pivotal role here. Students learn about the destructive nature of discrimination and prejudice and are challenged to think about how it can and should be confronted. These themes are also explored within the Personal Development Curriculum and through our co-ordinated assembly programme. All acts of discrimination are challenged and logged by Heads of Year. Any acts of racism are monitored and logged by SLT and are reported to Trustees. Serious incidents are referred, where appropriate, to the Channel programme as part of the Prevent Strategy. We believe and actively support the view that all students should be protected from radicalisation and extremism. Our 100% commitment to safeguarding student welfare means we are vigilant to monitoring vulnerability to radicalisation.