British Values

Promoting British Values

The Department for Education has recently 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 have been reiterated this year (2014). At our Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy is integral to our practices here at the Academy. Students 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. Students also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our Student Leadership Council as well as student voice surveys.  Furthermore, students are actively encouraged to participate in discussions regarding democracies and freedoms of speech, as well as the effect of those not living in democratic communities.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the Academy, or the country, are consistently reinforced here at Ormiston SWB Academy. Students are taught from first day the rules of the Academy and these are consistently reinforced. Each class also discusses and sets its own 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. Students are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Rewards are given to students demonstrating good attitudes, positive acts of citizenship and good behaviour both in the Academy and in the wider local community.

At our Academy, students 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 students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering and inclusive education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely  through our exploration of e-safety issues (embedded throughout the curriculum), a wide variety of assemblies and the comprehensive form time programme. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our eSafety prgramme, PSHCE days, Saturday School and Interventions.

Respect is one of the C.O.R.E values of our Academy. Our students were fully involved in the creation of our Academy values and it is embedded in all we do here, both in the classroom environment and outside of it. The students know and understand that it is expected and that it is imperative to show respect to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything. The C.O.R.E value of Respect at Ormiston SWB Academy underpins our work every day both in and out of the classroom. Anti-bullying assemblies, our tutor programme and SMSC lessons, all reflect our commitment to ensuring mutual respect. Equally our student-led charity, driven by our Academy sixth form  helps in teaching mutual respect as well as reinforcing our links with the local community. Children and adults alike are challenged if they are disrespectful in anyway.

Our C.O.R.E value of respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. Ormiston SWB Academy enhances students understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies, assemblies, Mindset Mondays, World Wide Wednesdays and PSHCE days. At our Academy we actively challenge students, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.