British Values

The Promotion of British Values

The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. At Richard de Clare Community Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is embedded at our school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and occasional questionnaires. The election of the School Councillors is based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. Our pupils 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.

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and P.S.H.E. lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of the core values of our school. Children know and understand that it is expected and that it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. The core value of respect at Richard de Clare Community Academy underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom. Children show respect for others in the community and make a positive contribution to their community by regularly taking part in activities such as Halstead in Bloom, Remembrance Day and the local Civic Parade.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our core value of respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Richard de Clare Community Academy enhances children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education lessons; P.S.H.E. learning; visits to other settings to participate in celebrations such as Diwali; welcoming visitors from other schools that are not predominately white British and enjoying a depth of study during themed weeks. Beliefs, traditions and customs will be studied in depth, with visitors being invited in to our school to enrich and extend understanding. Through this our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.

At Richard de Clare, British values are embedded in our school ethos and curriculum.

We share common values and life skills to prepare our children so they can thrive in the modern world. British values are delivered through our broad and balanced curriculum, via SMSC aspects of all learning and through dedicated learning opportunities such as Dimensions PSHE, whole school assemblies and the work of the school council.

British Value:	What this means to our children:	How this value is supported and accessed in our school:
Democracy:	They importance of having a voice. The importance of being heard and listened to. Their opinions and those of others are respected. Confidence to voice ideas and opinions. Working together as a team. Problem Solving / Solution Finding.	Classroom debate. PSHE curriculum sessions, circle time and other classroom discussion opportunities. Via a weekly programme of Assemblies focussed on SMSC and Values themes. Via School Council and other pupil led activities. Through School Council activity, events and democratically elected School Council roles.
The Rule of Law:	Children are supported to make the right choices. Children understand that their words and actions impact on the wellbeing of others. Children understand that making the right choices ensures everyone feels safe and valued. Children make choices to demonstrate that at Richard de Clare we are kind, we are safe and we are respectful.	Through PSHE and other curriculum opportunities Through adaptive learning and responsive environments. As part of a thematic, integrated, knowledge-engaged curriculum delivery. Via a weekly programme of Assemblies focussed on SMSC and Values themes. School & Class Council. Via positive reinforcement of our Behaviour Policy.

British Value:	What this means to our children:	How this value is supported and accessed in our school:
Individual Liberty:	Children understand that they have rights and responsibilities. Children are encouraged to make positive choices. Children are given opportunities to take safe risks and tackle challenges in their learning. Children feel safe to express their opinions. Children have a voice that is heard.	Topical debate and discussion, initiated by Newsround, linked to a variety of local, national and international themes. Reflective learning opportunities, such as (but not exclusively) Growth Mindset approaches and PSHE Circle Time.
Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.	We respect all others and listen to what they have to say. We expect for our views to be respected. We learn about different faiths and beliefs. We understand how our words actions can affect how someone else feels. An inclusive approach to school and celebration of our diversity.	Topical debate and discussion, linked to a variety of local, national and international themes – eg. World faiths, & systems of belief, Black History Month, etc. Class and group circle time. Whole School Assemblies. Via the RE Curriculum (Discovery RE) Through annual celebration of events from a variety of different faiths.

Bridge Academy Trust promotes British Values through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education which permeates through each academy’s curriculum and supports the development of the ‘whole child’. We recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all staff and provide a model of behaviour for our students.

We are committed to educating students with regard to their engagement and acceptance with the fundamental British values 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. We value the importance of facilitating opportunities for every academy to be part of the community as the students, families and staff have much to offer in the development of community cohesion.

Every academy in Bridge publishes details about how they ensure British Values are promoted in their specific setting. It is for Headteachers and Local Governing Bodies to shape how each academy does this in line with their local curriculum offer, developed to meet their needs of their specific cohort of children and young people.