British Values Statement - Queensbury Academy

British Values Statement

Promoting fundamental British values at Queensbury Academy 

 

Our Values Statement

The Department for Education requires schools “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.”

We are committed to promoting fundamental British values through a wide range of explicit and implicit educational activities and the articulation of, and demonstration of these values. British values are promoted through our social, moral, spiritual and cultural, (SMSC) education which permeates through the schools’ assemblies, curriculum, ethos, student voice, teaching and learning and its commitment to inclusion.

Our approach to promoting fundamental British values follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.

 

Promoting fundamental ‘British values’

At Queensbury Academy we use a range of strategies within the curriculum and beyond to secure the promotion of SMSC and fundamental British values. Our core values of Care, Aspiration, Resilience and Endeavour demonstrate our commitment to promoting fundamental British values, are visible throughout the school environment and are promoted in everything we do.

There is also an expectation that all teachers exploit and develop opportunities for the effective promotion of a student’s SMSC education in lessons. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Queensbury Academy seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of democracy through:

  • An active Student Voice Team that adheres to democratic principles
  • Various opportunities to participate in roles of responsibility within the school
  • A curriculum that develops pupil understanding of British Life and preparation for modern British Life
  • Extra-curricular activities that promote democratic processes.
  • The selection of Local Authority Youth Parliament representatives, Student Voice and Tutor representatives, Prefects, Peer Mentors, Sports Leaders and House Captains.

The Rule of Law

All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the rule of law through:

  • The school’s Behaviour for Learning policy, including a clear code of conduct and expectations for all pupils.
  • A robust anti-bullying culture and a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy and anti-bullying charter.
  • A comprehensive system of rewards, recognition and sanctions
  • A PSHEE curriculum which focuses on the rule of Law and respect for all
  • Values-based school assemblies led by a student Equalities Team
  • Restorative approaches to conflict
  • Effective links with Central Bedfordshire Police and other authorities.

Individual Liberty

All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of individual liberty through:

  • The school’s Behaviour for Learning policy, including a clear code of conduct and expectations for all pupils.
  • An outstanding system of pastoral care, guidance and support.
  • A robust anti-bullying culture and a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy
  • Participation in a wide variety of school and local community charitable events and opportunities for volunteering
  • Students have key roles and responsibilities in school, such as Eco-leaders, Prefects, Peer Mentors, House Captains and Sports Leaders
  • All students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in safe and supportive environment
  • Our PSHE/Life Skills curriculum educates and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, including those relating to e-safety and extremism
  • Through our curricular clubs and opportunities, students are given the freedom to make choices

Mutual respect

All students have opportunities to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of mutual respect through:

  • The school’s Behaviour for Learning policy, including a clear code of conduct and expectations for all students.
  • An outstanding system of pastoral care, guidance and support.
  • A teaching and learning environment based on mutual respect
  • A robust anti-bullying culture and a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy
  • A comprehensive system of rewards, recognition and sanctions
  • A curriculum where all pupils have an opportunity to express their views in a safe environment where the thoughts and answers of all are respected
  • Our PSHEE/Life Skills and Citizenship curriculum, including Sex and Relationship Education
  • Values-based school assemblies and a weekly tutor time character education session
  • Our Peer Mentors, Prefects, House Captains, and Sports Leaders promote mutual respect between students throughout the school community
  • Tolerance of different beliefs, cultures and faiths
  • All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the tolerance of different beliefs, cultures and faiths through:
  • Spiritual development through a comprehensive PSHE and Citizenship curriculum, value-based assemblies and weekly SEAL lessons.
  • Students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the year
  • The Religious Education curriculum, which is compulsory for all students up to the end of KS3, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures
  • An experience of a wide variety of cultures through curriculum themes assemblies and an annual cultural day
  • Sporting and House competitions that helps to instil ‘fair play’ and engender a ‘team spirit’
  • Links with other local and national bodies, including other schools and community partners