British Values

All maintained schools must meet the requirements set out in section 78 of the Education Act 2002 and promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their students.


Fundamental British Values

We actively 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. This list describes the understanding and knowledge expected of our students:

• an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
• an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety
• an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence
• an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
• an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
• an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

Evidence of how we do this can be found in our:

• curriculum
• Religious Education and Collective Worship Policy, and our Equality and Diversity Policy
• extra-curricular activities.

 

Democracy

At Bournside we ensure that all students have a voice that is listened to, and actively promote democratic processes such as a school and year council whose members are voted for by students. We have Year Councils for each year group and a School Council consisting of two representatives from each Year Council. These students meet every half term, bringing ideas from their tutor groups and then feeding back what was discussed, suggested, and resolved to their tutor groups and the Senior Leadership Team. Through student voice, students have shaped the school code for learning, both its development and through regular reviews.

Students are equally involved in the interviewing process when new appointments are made in school. They also play a significant role in supporting charities, not only in selecting the activities to raise money, but also regarding which charities benefit. Student voice is very strong at Bournside and we feel that by valuing and responding to the students, we demonstrate their democracy and freedom.


Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Through ‘Bournside pride’, assemblies with built-in reflection time, support and raising of funds for selected charities, RS, PSCHEE and many other subject areas, we deal with issues such as prejudice, discrimination, racism, sexism and bullying.

Every year we celebrate the European Day of Languages. Cultural appreciation and development form part of our curriculum. We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all students’ experiences and awareness of others.

Student Anti-bullying Ambassadors receive training to help ensure that any bullying or discrimination is reported, recorded, and not tolerated. Our recording system for incidents of bullying allows trends to be established and data scrutinised.


The Rule of Law

Within school there are clear expectations and rules which are consistently reinforced throughout the school day and sanctioned according to our Ladder of Consequences. Students learn to manage their behaviour and to take responsibility for their actions.

Throughout the humanities curriculum, particularly through PSCHEE lessons, students are taught about how laws are made, why they are important, and the consequences of breaking them. We have organised visits to Parliament where students listen to debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, alongside the opportunity to be a part of a successful Bournside debating team.


Freedom

At Bournside, students are actively encouraged to make their own choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for young people to make choices about risky behaviour through a provision for empowering education. Students are encouraged to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised to exercise these safely, through assemblies, PSCHEE, Enterprise Days and other subjects. This can also include their freedom of choice when participating in our extensive offer of extracurricular activities.