Promoting British Values

Statement on the Promotion of Multi-culturalism British Values at Clevedon School

 At Clevedon School we ensure that through our school vision, values, expectations, curriculum and teaching we promote respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles.  We believe we have a duty to prepare our students for life in modern Britain and as active local and global citizens, and both our curriculum, and our school ethos, encourage students to develop the skills and qualities they need to achieve this.  We also believe that SMSC development is key to our duty of care for students in order to keep them safe, happy and healthy. 

We value the importance of the current Ofsted guidance:

Staff “should ensure that they and the school promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), cultures and lifestyles; and support and help, through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community, to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain.”

As a school, we respect the social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of all students and their families, and welcome those of all faiths and non-faith equally.  We understand the geographical, social and cultural situation of the Clevedon community and provide opportunities for students to widen their understanding and experiences of the diversity of multi-cultural Britain.

“Be Kind, Be Brilliant”:

Our School motto of ‘Be Kind, Be Brilliant’ underpins our values and ethos across the school, as well as providing a framework for the development of students’ skills and personal attributes, and academic growth mindset.  Visually displayed around the school, and regularly referenced by staff and students, being kind and brilliant are expectations of all our students and staff.  Students are very aware of our school motto, and of the importance of Leadership – which is promoted through our 6 Principles of Leadership below - and these provide a firm basis for the promotion of key British Values at the school.

Society and Critical Thinking Extended Curriculum:

Students are given specific opportunities to explore issues linked to Multi-culturalism and British Values in a number of curriculum areas across the school, including Humanities, Languages, and the Creative Subjects.  In particular, the links between the curriculum in English (which includes lessons such as Classical Civilization and Reading Plus), Citizenship and RPE (Religion, Philosophy and Ethics) have been made much more overt with both students and staff through the extended Society and Critical Thinking Curriculum.  The aim of this is to support student knowledge and understanding of key issues of British Values, and provide active opportunities to engage with this both within and beyond the classroom to develop their active participation as positive global citizens and reflect on the value of this. 

Specific Themes and Key Areas:

Mutual Respect:

“Positive Values, Mutual Respect” is a phrase well used at Clevedon School, the idea of which is embedded into the Clevedon Way and ‘Be Kind, Be Brilliant’, on which our ethos and values are based. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.  Issues resulting from prejudices are openly discussed in Tutor Time, RPE (Religion, Philosophy and Ethics) and Citizenship lessons, as is the promotion of the diversity of faiths and beliefs in the school, the community, and Britain as a whole.  We hold an annual Differences Aside Week which links to national Anti-bullying week, where students are reminded of how prejudice-based bullying is unacceptable.

Democracy:

Democracy is clearly evident within Clevedon School through Student Voice, student leadership opportunities and the House System.  Student Voice is an active part of the school where students are encouraged to share their views, represent their peers, and demonstrate leadership.  Pupils also have the opportunity to have their voices heard through the House Council and 6th Form Leadership Team where student representatives are democratically elected through pupil votes.  We also explore issues linked to local and national democracy in Citizenship lessons and the Assembly/Tutor programme, and through A Level Government and Politics.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days.  Staff have high expectations of student behaviour and this is supported by the Clevedon Lesson and Best Behaviour First systems.  Students are taught to understand that whilst different people may hold different views about what is “right” and “wrong”, all people living in England are subject to its law. Through lessons such as Citizenship, RPE and A Level Law, students are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police in Citizenship and through enrichment also help to reinforce key messages, and make sure students are aware of the law on current issues that develop and arise.

Individual Liberty:

Within school, students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, through a provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely e.g. E-Safety lessons in Citizenship, and a focus on E-Safety in Tutor Time and Assemblies during E-Safety Week. Students are given the freedom and responsibility to select their level of learning in lessons and are encouraged to have high aspirations and challenge themselves.  Students are actively involved in independent reflection and target setting in lessons and through the calendar of parent consultation evenings.  Whether it is through choice of challenge, of how they record learning, of participation in extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, or of what they have for lunch, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Internationalism:

Students are encouraged to explore the world as a whole in a number of different lessons and through wider opportunities, and to develop the knowledge and understanding of international issues, and the skills to become positive global citizens within the international community.  This is a particular feature of the Languages, Humanities and English departments, and is also a key element of the opportunities provided by the Feature Lecture in Sixth Form, and Citizenship in Years 7-11.  The school has a number of links with communities around the world, particularly through the Languages department with links to the Clevedon Twin Towns of Ettlingen in Germany and Epernay in France.  We also have strong links with Kenya where we have connections with a rural community near Kisii through a charity local to the school.  There is an annual 6^th Form trip to Kisii where students feedback their learning and experiences to the lower school years through Citizenship and Tutor Time.