British Values and Political Impartiality

Next Previous

British Values at St Stephens

The DfE have reinforced the 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 are further embedded each year with all staff attending regular training to ensure their practice and expectations are fit for purpose.

The curriculum at St Stephens Community Academy is planned to ensure that the teaching and understanding of British Values is embedded across the curriculum. We discuss and select a whole school British Value/s to demonstrate weekly and this is further reinforced via weekly class lessons using the 'Picture News' resources to ensure information and resources are current and meaningful to our pupils and the world they live in now whilst considering future implications.

Democracy

Democracy is very important across the school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Pupil Forum. The leaders of each group are elected by their peers. Pupils at St Stephens Community Academy know that there is always someone in school who they can listen and be heard, that their suggestions are valued.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. The Academy follows the articles represented in the UNICEF 'Rights of a Children'. 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. Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, Lifeguards etc are regular parts of our school life. St Stephens have achieved the Silver UNICEF Rights for Children Award.

Individual Liberty

Within St Stephens Conmmunity Academy, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As an academy, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advise how to exercise these safely, for example through our Online Safety and SMSC lessons. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record, of participation in our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

Part of our Academy ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around the articles reflected in the 'Rights of a Child' and respect is very important. All staff at St Stephens Community Academy promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning, as well as our behaviour policy. Our pupils are actively encouraged to demonstrate this British Value through community cohesion events e.g. we regularly visit the local residential care home , taking part in cross school events e.g. sports festivals , music and theatre productions and running events within our school to raise money for charities that we hold dear to us e.g. Action Aid Young Carers and NSPCC.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE and SMSC. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.