Promoting Fundamental British Values
In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
At Bank View School (BVS), the students and their learning are at the very heart of every decision made. This policy reflects our diverse mix of students and does not discriminate against any of the protected characteristics. All members of the school community are treated equally at BVS. We intend to provide a safe, secure, caring environment where everyone is valued and respected equally. We aim to provide an inclusive education where children develop independent learning skills and are taught according to need whatever their age, gender, background, beliefs or abilities. Bank View is a multicultural community within which we celebrate students and cultures from all over the world. Alongside this, the school is keen to support all students in learning about and deepening their understanding of British values, culture and systems.
Fundamental British values are defined by the DfE as:
- Democracy: Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process
- The rule of law: Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
- Individual liberty: Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
- Mutual respect and tolerance: Support for equality of opportunity for all and respect and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs
See Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education (SMSC) and British Values Policy for how BVS actively promotes British Values
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education (SMSC)
At BVS development in SMSC takes place in and out of lessons and across all areas of the curriculum.
SMSC has particularly strong links to form time, Assembly, World Views, Citizenship and PSHE.
Spiritual development
The spiritual development of pupils is shown by their:
- Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective and outlook on life.
- Respect for, and interest in, different people’s faiths, feelings and values.
- Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.
- Use of creativity and imagination in their learning.
- Willingness to reflect on their experiences and the experiences of others
Moral development
The moral development of pupils is shown by their:
- Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England.
- Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions.
- Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.
Social development
The social development of pupils is shown by their:
- Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Willingness to participate in a variety of community and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively.
- Ability to use modern communication technology, including mobile technology, the internet and social media, safely.
- Acceptance and engagement with 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 pupils should also develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in, and contribute positively to, life in modern Britain.
Cultural development
The cultural development of pupils is shown by their:
- Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
- Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within the school, and further afield, as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain.
- Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain.
- Willingness to participate in and respond positively to: artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities.
- Interest in exploring, improving understanding of, and showing respect for, different faiths and cultural diversity.
- Understanding, acceptance, respect and celebration of diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.
Prevent Duty
The school recognises the importance of the Prevent duty (Government advice published in June 2015); that of having “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This advice from the Department for Education gives advice on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation and how to access support. If there is concern of risk, then reports should be made using the school’s Safeguarding hierarchy.
Links
Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in school’s Departmental advice for maintained schools
The Prevent duty
SMSC-and-British-Values-policy-BVS
