Modern British Values
Greatstone School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
It 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. Greatstone School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated in 2014.
The four British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with and without different faiths and beliefs
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Greatstone School, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community: for instance, elections being held for Young Governors and members of our Pupil Leadership Team. Children have many opportunities for their voices to be heard. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History, RE and PSHE curriculum as well as in whole school assemblies and further enrichment opportunities.
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 including school assemblies.
Children are taught the rules and expectations of the school, namely to always be ‘Ready, Respectful and Safe’. Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Regular visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge or how the record their work, or participation in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Individual Liberty
At Greatstone School, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge or how they record their work, or participation in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
