The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British values more actively and to ensure they are taught in schools.
The Corbet School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
It follows equal opportunities guidance, and will not tolerate discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. The Corbet School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The government defined British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five key British values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
The Corbet School uses strategies within the national curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways The Corbet School seeks to instil British values.
Democracy
In school we promote the importance of democracy through:
- School Council
- Questionnaires
- Youth Parliament
- Student voice
- Collaborative working
- Debate Club
- Elections of Form Captains, House Captains & Senior Prefects.
The Rule of the Law
In school we promote the importance of the rule of the law by:
- A clearly structured behaviour Policy
- School Code of Conduct
- Accountability is stressed to all stakeholders including staff (Teacher’s Standards), students (Code of Conduct), and Governors.
- The school liaises closely with outside agencies including the Police and Social Services
- The Acceptable Use Policy is used to promote the correct use of the internet.
- Safeguarding Policy
- Students are taught the value and reasons behind laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when rules are broken.
Individual Liberty
In school we promote the importance of individual liberty through:
- Students are introduced to a range of beliefs and experiences so that they are able to make more informed choices for themselves
- Students are able to make choices about the courses they will study at Key Stage 4
- The provision of extra-curricular activities and clubs, including extended studies.
- Students choose their own work experience placements.
- Students are taught the knowledge and skills to broaden their choices about future work, travel and education.
- Students are encouraged to voice views in lesson in a formative manner.
- Duke of Edinburgh award programme.
Mutual respect
In school we promote the importance of mutual respect through:
- Behaviour Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- E Safety Guidance
- Safer Schools Initiative
- The publishing and enforcement of smart dress code.
- Assemblies
- Debate Club
- Duke of Edinburgh award programme
- The curriculum helps students to learn about a wide range of people, cultures and beliefs and so develops students’ ability to make informed decisions, be confident in their own identity and understand and respect that of others.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
In school we promote the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through:
- Assemblies
- Black History month
- Discussions on prejudices in RE and PSHE
- PSHE lessons on current events
- All students are regularly asked if they feel safe in school.
