Modern British Values

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What is British Values?

 

British Values, as described by Ofsted, is to develop the pupils’ understanding and knowledge 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;

• the a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;

• the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;

• acceptance that other 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; 

• the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

 

This learning is described by the DfE as Five Fundamental Values:

 

• Democracy

• Rule of Law

• Individual Liberty

• Mutual Respect

• Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs

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At Amber Valley and Erewash Support Centre British Values are embedded right across the curriculum. At AVESC we strive to ensure that our pupils are nurtured and are taught a clear set of values and a sound understanding of tolerance, community cohesion, and have a fundamental understanding of rights and responsibilities.

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Democracy

Our pupils are introduced to the concept of “democracy” and “the majority vote”  through participating as pupil voice representatives and engaging in a wide range of discussions concerning issues that directly affect them. Pupils are encouraged to vote on key issues that are likely to affect their classmates, as well as bringing their own proposals to staff for consideration. Pupils participate in class votes through discussion and debate as part of the curriculum and through enrichment days such as reward days, Well being days and days linked to current events. Pupils are encouraged to become politically aware and participate in debates concerning age-appropriate issues, developing arguments for and against carefully-chosen topics. This allows pupils to develop their understanding of facts and emotion when resonating with their peers, staff and the wider community.

 

Democracy is also studied as part of Citizenship, PSHE, RE and History lessons, where clear contrasts are drawn between democratic and autocratic states, and the links between democracy, fairness and equality. These issues are also explored in English Literature, where the importance of democracy and/or freedom of speech often becomes part of a discussion as an explicit or underlying theme in texts studied by pupils.

 

Rule of Law

We believe it is important for pupils to understand why rules are in place, the purpose that they serve, and the consequences of breaking them. We aim to create an environment where pupils know the difference between right and wrong which supports pupils in progressing to their next steps or reintegrating back into their current place of education. A key part of achieving this is through helping pupils to understand that rules are essential in order to safeguard their wellbeing, protect the welfare of others, and ensure that everybody has the opportunity to fully achieve their potential. Pupils learn, through day-to-day tasks, reflection time and tutorials and throughout the curriculum, that there is a relationship between cause and effect and the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions, which is vital to becoming a productive and upstanding member of society. Pupils learn to understand that the rules that are in place at the academy, reflect rules in the wider world as they prepare for their next steps in learning and in the workplace. In order to ensure that pupils respect our rules, we take care to apply them fairly and consistently so that boundaries – and the repercussions of overstepping them are clearly defined.

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Embedded within the Behaviour and Reward, Anti-Bullying and Attendance Policies, are the expectations for each pupil which is consistently reiterated each session and each day through the point sheets and the points and reward system. Pupils are rewarded and celebrated for exemplary behaviour, attendance and academic performance. Those who frequently break the rules, meanwhile, are subject to appropriate sanctions.

 

Through enrichment, we organise visits from individuals from roles in the community such as police officers and members of the Fire Service to reinforce the importance of respecting rules and the repercussions of breaking them.

 

Individual Liberty

We are committed to keeping our pupils safe, happy and well. Through Citizenship and PSHE we develop their knowledge and understanding of  online safety, bullying, child sexual exploitation, physical and emotional abuse, radicalisation and extremism. All of these areas are also taught throughout themed weeks and days such as Anti-bullying week and World Mental Health Days. Also, as part of a continuous provision,  sensitive subjects are also addressed as and when required, according to key stage and cohort. Tutorial time also lends itself to a wide range of these subjects.  Through the wider curriculum, pupils learn about key historical figures and their roles in history and how it has impacted on the world today.

 

Pupils are supporting in their choices and the understanding of how they can learn from their mistakes. Pupils are encouraged to establish their identities as individuals in a non-judgemental environment and exercise their right to their opinions and feelings as part of discussions and debates curriculum-wide. The development of their self esteem, confidence and self worth is of prime importance as they prepare for their next steps to ensure they can make choices that benefit themselves with the ability to be resilient, resist peer pressure and be responsible citizens in the academy community, local and wider community. 

 

Opportunity Purpose and Support and Success are our Core Values and we aim to allow pupils to develop their own talents and interests and offer opportunities, linked to the careers element of our curriculum, to develop these interests into life goals. Pupils work towards making a positive and unique contribution to society through enrichment opportunities, applying their learning to real-life situations and through work experience.

 

Mutual Respect

We aim to develop respect through opportunities to present, debate and discuss a range of topics throughout all curriculum subjects and enrichment opportunities. There are opportunities for pupils to participate in charity events benefiting people who are, for example, experiencing food poverty, illness and homelessness. Pupils develop a sense of identity and understanding of others through pupil voice and work around anti-bullying, anti-racism and further cultural events. The expectations set our in our Behaviour and Reward policy support the high standards that characterise the learning environment.

 

Pupils are encouraged  and develop their communication skills through a range of interventions and speaking and listening activities, communicating openly and honestly, listening to and respecting peers, staff and visitors and their views. Pupils are supported to respond appropriately to disagreements and learn techniques and skills required when communicating in a range of situations as they prepare for their next steps.  Through the curriculum, tutorial time and enrichment opportunities, pupils understand the diverse society and the right for all to be respected for their choices. Pupils are exposed to opportunities to develop compassion and acceptance during social times, through small group and 1:1 interventions to build positive social skills they require in their next steps.

 

 

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our RE curriculum, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures which we link to the wider curriculums of English, History, Geography and Art and Design. Through enrichment we celebrate religions to promote not only a tolerance but a genuine understanding and respect for the culturally diverse country we live in.  We challenge prejudicial and discriminatory behaviour with links to enrichment events such as Anti Bullying week and Black History Month. We offer a culturally rich curriculum with studies of a range of cultures across the world.

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