British Values Statement
Promoting British Values
Ash Manor School is committed to serving our community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understands the vital role we have 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.
We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Ash Manor School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to all of our students.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The Five British Values are:
• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At Ash Manor, we use our tutor time, assemblies, personal development days, extra curricular and opportunities within the National curriculum to teach British Values. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Ash Manor School seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Ash Manor School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community such as elections for Head Boy and Girl and Student Senior Leadership positions. The principle of democracy is also explicitly explored in the History curriculum as well as during tutor time and assemblies.
The rule of law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Ash Manor School. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the student code of conduct, the Student 7. Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.
Individual liberty
At Ash Manor School, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Ash Manor School educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through learning about e-safety, consent, respectful relationships and a range of other topics during personal development days and tutor time activities. Ash Manor has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy.
Mutual respect
Respect is a core value at Ash Manor School. Students learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is emphasised through our learning environments.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved though equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. The Religious Education curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
Ash Manor School strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our society.
