BRITISH VALUES STATEMENT

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi is committed to serving its community and surrounding area. We recognise the multicultural, multi-faith nature of the United Kingdom and understand the crucial role our school plays in promoting our Nation’s values. We encourage admissions from all those entitled to education under British law regardless of faith, ethnicity, and gender, and sexuality, political or financial status. We are a school for all. This statement outlines the key British values we actively promote.
We focus on through our curriculum and day to day interaction, embedding and promoting our British Values, which are reflected in our own school values:

Pride
Ambition
Respect
Peace and Reconciliation
Happiness

The notion of British Values and the requirement to be explicit about how we teach this body of understanding comes from the 2011 Counter Terrorism Prevent Strategy and was re-emphasised by David Cameron in June 2014. This is also in line with the requirements of the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) curriculum which is derived through the expectations of the New National Curriculum.

British Values are defined as:
Democracy
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect
The Rule of Law
Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Democracy

  • We believe the ability to understand and communicate are the most important areas of learning. We ensure that students are given a means to communicate. This could be using words, objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, touch cues, eye pointing or body language.
  • We allow our pupils to make choices about the things that they believe to be important. By valuing, listening and responding to each “voice” we demonstrate that we support democracy and liberty.
  • Students make choices about lunchtime clubs, classroom activities, educational visits, computing activities, environmental issues etc. Our student leaderships and its representatives ensure that our “pupil voice” is recognised and listened to.
  • Class charter / rules are decided through a democratic process considering the rights and responsibilities that are associated with these.
  • Pupils are involved in Democratic processes, e.g voting for school leadership members. The school leadership itself is led by a member of Year 11 and adheres to democratic process, reporting actions to the whole staff and governing body.
  • Assemblies at the times of National Elections explain the principles and importance of taking part as an adult.
  • Personal development informs pupils about democracy during the British values unit.

Individual Liberty

  • Students are encouraged to become good and valued citizens. This is taught in formal lessons but also during informal times eg. Turn taking, helping others, demonstrating manners and recognising the abilities of others.
  • We support each student to become as independent as possible, demonstrating that everyone has the right to express their opinion be it in word, action, or gesture.
  • Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school, such as Prefects, Mentors, and Tutors.
  • Pupils are encouraged to ask questions freely and have confidence that they will be listened to by staff and their peers
  • All children are encouraged to become independent learners and as socially aware individuals, being encouraged to make appropriate choices.
  • We educate and provide safeguarding information, including e-safety, to ensure children understand why and how to be safe.
  • Within school, pupils are encouraged to consider and promote the safety of others, knowing they are in a supportive environment.
  • Through lunchtime and extra-curricular club and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices and use their free time in a productive and enjoyable manner.

Mutual Respect

  • Be Respectful – Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own right and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
  • Staff and pupils are confident enough to apologise to each other, when they have made a mistake through restorative practices.
  • Manners and politeness are expected in all situations throughout school.
  • The school encourages competitive team sport participation, which is used as a tool to develop mutual respect within and beyond the school.
  • Sporting success of nations within Britain and other countries are applauded.
  • Humanutopia mentors promote mutual respect between pupils across different year groups of the school.

The Rule of Law

  • Pupils are responsible helping formulate class charter / rules understanding actions and consequences.
  • We voice school expectations for behaviour in terms of the law as it is applied to all who live in Britain and through our core values.
  • School has links with the local police through PC Kruse
  • History and assemblies are taught with reference to the importance of certain key events in the construction of British Law.
  • Pupils learn about the rule of law during personal development lessons.

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

  • The Academy of St Francis of Assisi actively promotes diversity through our celebration of different faiths and cultures.
  • We are part of a school and local community where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.
  • Our Issues and Beliefs curriculum provides broad and balanced lessons, which alongside the PSHE curriculum reinforces the messages of tolerance and respect for others.
  • We place great emphasis on providing encounters and participation in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.
  • Cultural appreciation forms part of curriculum. Our Cultural Diversity week celebrates our aims and values and is a highlight of our school year.
  • Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
  • We have an increased number of EAL pupils and actively use school resources to promote their learning and integration into our school society.
  • We use assemblies to promote an understanding of faiths within Britain and the wider world. We use hymns and music that reflect our Christian faith. Visitors to assemblies offer respectful insights into different faiths.
  • Actively promoting also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values.
  • Extremism does not form any part of our curriculum or teaching and our students are encouraged to respect other people and no student is discriminated against contrary to the Equality Act 2010