British value

Statement

In practice

Democracy

Many of our school routines are built upon the concept of democracy. All students have opportunity as an individual, as a member of a tutor group and within subject departments, to influence decision making and to have a voice. They understand that they must use this voice responsibly.

Students are regularly consulted both formally informally about how their school might be improved. They see the example that is set with staff working cooperatively with each other to make the school the best it can be.

Students within the school have key roles and responsibilities and are democratically elected to take on leadership roles. In their form group they have form representatives, sports captains and charities representatives. They understand that they are accountable to the school community for the way in which they carry out these roles.

Our School Council allows students to explore and understand the democratic process they are also linked to the Senior Leadership Team. During national and local elections we hold our own mock elections. The School Council feedback to the school community as part of assemblies, form time visits and updates in the school newsletter.

How to work as a member of a team as well as team leadership are included in PSHE and during tutor time.  

In Citizenship students learn about the British electoral system, how it has developed and how it works.

Regular consultations, formal and informal, take place throughout the school year. Students receive feedback and are made aware of any actions that are taken as a result.

The rule of law

Students in our school understand the need for rules to make ours a happy and secure environment. Our behaviour policy is shared and understood and this provides a basis on which we discuss other laws and rules and how they apply.

Ground rules are established in all areas of the curriculum and students are encouraged to see the reasons for them.

Our school works closely with our community police officer.

We set ground rules during PSHE and Religious Studies (RS) classes where sensitive issues are discussed. IT lessons include discussion around data protection and our e-safety code of conduct.

Each year, every tutor group discusses the school code of conduct with their tutor as well as an assembly explaining the importance of the rules in creating a safe learning environment.

School sanctions are clearly established and shared. Tutor group sanctions are discussed and agreed within the tutor group.

In citizenship students learn about the legal system in the UK.

Individual liberty

The rights of every student are at the centre of our ethos. However, students must also recognise the boundaries there must be too.

Independent thinking and learning are encouraged and there are frequent opportunities for students to grow in maturity and independence as they move towards the sixth form.  

We place an emphasis on respecting difference and valuing creativity.

Each day students look at a ‘Thought of the Day’ which is a quote from an individual who has had a particular impact on the world. We try to select from a range of cultures, ethnicities and religious beliefs.  

Human rights is a topic included in our PSHE curriculum.   

In Citizenship we discuss what it means to ‘contribute to society’ and discuss what it means to be ‘free’.   

Mutual respect

Respect is one of our school values. We recognise the importance of not only respecting one another but also of self-respect.

We have a clear anti-bullying policy which emphasises the importance of us creating an environment both within school and the wider world in which individuals can feel safe and valued.

Our welcome for visitors is part of the school ethos as is the focus on each student as representative of the school when they are out in the community.

Every individual is respected in our school and our actions towards one another reflect this.

Our PSHE curriculum includes topics on relationships and what a good relationship consists of.    

We have links with local feeder schools that enable our students to work with younger children on specific projects.

Our extra-curricular clubs and enrichment activities focus on building self-esteem and self-respect. They also include team-building activities.

The staff code of conduct ensures that staff behave towards each other in an exemplary way, setting a good example for the students.

The language used between staff and students at all times is considered to be vital in showing how we respect one another.

The tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

We welcome difference and diversity and aim to create understanding of how this adds to the richness of our community.

We aim to do more than ‘tolerate’ those with different faiths and beliefs. We recognise the extent to which our own traditions and history have developed side by side and the rich cultural heritage that different world religions bring.

We believe that exploring and understanding other people’s faiths and beliefs are rewarding experiences and help us understand our own faiths and beliefs better.

Our RS curriculum which follows the Agreed Syllabus for Barnet teaches about a range of faiths, religions and cultures.

We invite representatives from different religions into our school and visit places of worship, respecting the rules that apply to them and the beliefs of those who use them.

Students are familiar with the principles which different religions hold and explore the main world religions as outlined in the Agreed Syllabus.

We take the opportunity to find out more about different cultures we encounter through research and discussion.

We encourage those in our school who hold different faiths and beliefs to share their experiences and provide us with insight.