The DfE have 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. At Wellsway School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

Democracy is widespread within the school. Students engage positively with the realities of life in a democracy, and understand and appreciate the history, heritage and wide ranging cultural influences that underpin our individual and shared experience of life in modern Britain.

The school has a system of House Councils, which meet on a termly basis. The house council meetings provide a forum for students to discuss issues relevant to their experience of school life and to engage in projects to improve the learning culture, the school environment and support charity. Each Tutor Group elects one representative for the House Council.

The House Council’s has made a number of significant improvements to the school including uniform and behaviour policy reviews, bike shelter and outside seating provision and approaches to us being a more environmentally friendly school.

Through assembly and tutor time programme, students have the opportunity to debate and discuss current affair topics that cover links to democracy.

The rule of Law

The importance of the rule of law, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Students are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

Students recognise the difference between right and wrong, understand that actions have consequences, and apply this in their own lives by respecting English civil and criminal law. Visits from authorities such as the police are used to reinforce tolerance and respect. In addition Religious Studies and PSHE respectively deliver activities on ‘crime and punishment’ and ‘drug and alcohol awareness’ in KS3 to reinforce the belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions.

Individual liberty

Within school, students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety and PSHE.

Students are given the freedom to make choices whether it is through choice of challenge or participation in extensive extra-curricular clubs and opportunities. They have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves and others, and the world around them, and participate actively in artistic, sporting or cultural activities.

Students make choices relating to the KS4 and KS5 curriculum that they wish to follow. Students have individual meetings with a member of the senior leadership team e.g. during year 9 GCSE interviews, year 11 sixth form interviews.

Mutual respect and tolerance

Our approach to school assemblies and behaviour is to have a values led approach. ‘Respect’ is an important value of the school’s code with all members of the school community treating each other with respect. Students have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown e.g. through our Them and Us campaigns which encourage our students to take part in community action to make our school and wider community a more respectful and tolerant place to be. Students also are mindful of other students within their classes whom are also demonstrating such values. Mutual respect is an integrated part of classroom behaviour, as well as our whole school approach to behaviour.

Through Humanities lessons students are reflective about their own beliefs and perspectives on life, and the extent to which they are the same as/different to others’ faith, feelings and values. Students are encouraged to show an interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and appreciate the viewpoints of others. The school’s curriculum provides opportunities to openly tackle controversial issues and challenge misconceptions. Students have the opportunity to visit places of significant cultural interest and places of worship. In addition we actively encourage visitors from a range of communities and organisations into the school.

The school promotes an environment where all students work and socialise with students from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, co-operating well, celebrating diversity and resolving conflicts effectively. Ethnic minorities are included in all aspects of the school e.g. leadership roles, sport, drama, music etc.