The importance of British Values within the curriculum
As part of the Values Curriculum, and alongside our responsibility to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of students at the school, Selby High School actively promotes British values.
Through our values, systems and curriculum we promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.
We aim to ensure that our students become fully prepared for life in modern Britain and leave school as well-rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background and belief.
As part of our approach to British Values we take very seriously our public sector equality duty (s.149 of the Equality Act 2010) which requires us to have due regard of the need to:
- eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under that Act;
- advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and
- foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
How are British Values at the heart of what we do?
The British Values we explore are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
As a school we aim to develop and nurture these by:
- Delivering a vibrant and engaging assembly programme with British Values, diversity and an ethical approach at its heart.
- Delivering a well-structured Values Curriculum which addresses all of the requirements of the programmes of study (looking at Democracy, Freedom, the rule of law, Human Rights and responsibilities). We ensure that principles are actively promoted which will:
- enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
- enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England
- encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality in which the school is situated and to society more widely
- enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England
- encourage further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures
- encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010; and
- encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England
- provide a varied Life Development programme at every Key Stage.
- provide an effective and well-managed range of student leadership roles and School Councils, enabling students to actively participate in the democratic process.
- offer a broad and balanced curriculum which addresses many of these core values
across a range of subject areas. - provide a clearly communicated and consistently applied Positive Behaviour for Learning policy so that students understand what is expected of them.
- encourage charity work organised by the School Council, and within year groups offer a wide range of educational visits.
- provide regular advice on online safety to all students, staff and parents at Selby High School.
British Values and the Prevent Duty
At Selby High School, we strongly believe that a carefully structured approach to delivering British Values, supported by a culture that encourages students to ask questions and be engaged in quality discussion of the issues, is an important part of the school’s approach to the Prevent duty. Our approach to teaching British Values, alongside our Tolerance Pledge, encourages all stakeholders in the school to challenge extremism, prejudice and intolerance.
