Promoting British Values at Brentnall
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 the Prime Minister reiterated these values in 2014. At Brentnall Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways.
Democracy
Democracy is embedded at the 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 regular questionnaires. The elections of the School Council members and Head Boy and Head Girl are 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 school has the highest expectations for behavior and we are all responsible for setting a good example to others. Each class discusses and sets its own ‘Always Rules’ that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws: that they govern and protect us, that we have a responsibility to uphold them 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 PSHE lessons. Our pupils are given the freedom to make choices whether it is through choice of challenge, of how to record learning or of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities.
Mutual Respect
Respect is one of the core values of our school as can be seen on our School Values statement – Learn, Respect, Succeed. Our pupils were fully involved in the creation of this ‘mission statement’ and it is deeply embedded in all that we do at the school. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and 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 Brentnall Academy underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom.
Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths And Beliefs
Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Brentnall Academy is a truly diverse school: our school community represents more than thirty countries and more than twenty languages are spoken. We enhance pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education, PSHE education and collaboration with schools in different settings to participate in shared projects and celebrations. We welcome a wide range of visitors to our school and we take part in stimulating and thought provoking educational visits to deepen our understanding of and respect for the multi-cultural society in which we live.
Click on the link below for an overview of British Values at our school:
Promoting Our British Values at Brentnall
We actively promote our British Values and it is our duty to challenge those who behave in a manner contrary to those values.
For more information, please click on the link below where you will find our British Values Policy.
https://www.brentnallacademy.org.uk/policies/