British Values
Bradley Stoke Community School is committed to serving its community and surrounding areas.
It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom, and therefore those it serves. 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.
The school, as a Multi-Academy Trust member, accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by its governing body regarding equality, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.
The Government requires all schools to actively promote fundamental British values, in order to improve safeguarding; strengthen the barriers to extremism; ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background and to ensure young people leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain. This aligns with all schools’ obligations under section 78 of the Education Act (2002), as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, social (SMSC), mental and physical development of students at the school and of society.
The fundamental British values, first set out by the government in the ‘Prevent’ strategy in 2011 and reinforced through further Department for Education advice in November 2014 are:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Actively promoting the values means challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to fundamental British values. Attempts to promote systems that undermine fundamental British values would be completely at odds with our school’s duty to provide SMSC. The Teachers’ Standards expect teachers to uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. This includes not undermining fundamental British values.
The following list describes the understanding and knowledge expected of students as a result of our school promoting fundamental British values:
- an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
- an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety
- an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
- an acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
- an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination
Below are some examples of actions we take to promote British values at Bradley Stoke Community School:
Curriculum
Across the curriculum, opportunities are built into lessons for students to explore and practise fundamental British values, either through topics studied or by following the school’s general structures and behaviour expectations.
Culture Religion and Society schemes of learning include age appropriate opportunities to study community cohesion, conflict resolution, democracy, youth voice, local government, human rights, the law and justice, diversity, the European Union and global citizenship as well as learning religions and why people worship.
Wider School Life
Our school vision, values and general ethos support the fundamental British values and we have a strong emphasis on the development of SMSC across the school.
Within school, students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. There is a full programme of assemblies and Strengths of the Week with a particular emphasis on positivity, respect, aspiration, tolerance and diversity. A number of year 10 and year 11 students have been trained as Peer Mentors, Time to Talk ambassadors, Young Carer ambassadors and Anti-Bullying ambassadors, ensuring that students from all year groups can learn from each other and have the opportunity to act as positive role models. Students vote on charities to support and regularly organise fundraising activities for these.
Student Voice
We promote democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and group action to address needs and concerns.
Key to this is the concept of holding others to account, including those in positions of authority and influence. There is a system of democratically elected student council members, which meet regularly to discuss /effect positive changes to the school. Student voice is a regular item on the Leadership agenda.
Ongoing Opportunities
We use local and national opportunities that arise to promote fundamental British values and provide students with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view - for example the organisation of mock elections and our debating club.
Extra-curricular
There is a wide range of sporting, creative and academic activities to choose from, including rugby, football, athletics, drama, choir, ukulele, ICT, Independent Learning club and many more.
These promote self-development, self-esteem, confidence, understanding of the concept of ‘fair play’, following and developing rules, inclusion, celebrating and rewarding success, being magnanimous in defeat and participation in activities that promote kinship and affiliation with others. There are numerous visits and residential trips organised through the Session 16 and Enrichment week programme which are designed to widen students’ perspectives - for example cultural visits in the UK and to France and Germany. Many students also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and the World Challenge.
The school regularly audits its SMCS and British Values provision using a programme called the Gridmaker.
