British values

The John Warner School has embedded the advice offered by the Department for Education concerning British values in schools.  These values are:

• The value of democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect and tolerance to those of different faiths and beliefs

The school value of ‘respect’ is fundamental to the pursuance of the ‘British’ values.

The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of schools promoting fundamental British values.

• An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
• An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;
• An understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;
• An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;
• An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; and
• An understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

How do we promote British values across our school curriculum and co-curriculum?

We have an integrated and embedded SMSC programme which works across the curriculum and co-curriculum which gives practical effect to our school ethos and values (see Character Education above).

We strive to educate our students to have basic respect for others and for themselves.  To give them the self-confidence and self-belief to be strong citizens with a healthy respect for the institutions and values of the country and to honour those values by setting themselves high standards.

Students are taught to remain safe in the modern world through e-safety provision in lifelong learning lessons. Students are encouraged and taught to see the internet as a useful tool, but as a space in which others who might have different values and views, may seek to influence them. The school has in place a system where students concerned by anything they may read on line can discuss the matter with an appropriate adult.

Our Behaviour for Learning Policy, which is regularly reviewed, is the foundation of the attitude we expect from students and staff in our institution.

Staff and students are encouraged to live the values, and all members of the community have to treat each other with respect and tolerance.

Practically, the school curriculum and co-curriculum are designed to provide numerous examples of how British values operate.  Our aim, through the co-curriculum and SMSC provision in particular, is to:

• 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 in England;
• Encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
• Enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect of public institutions and services in England;
• Further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect of their own and other cultures;
• Encourage respect for other people; 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.

All teachers are expected to uphold British values in their working classroom and by their actions around the school.  Specific strands will however be discussed in the following areas:

• RS, history, English, mathematics, science, PE and lifelong learning lessons.  In addition to those classroom-based activities, students will encounter British values and have an opportunity to reflect on them through the School Council, which represents every form in the school, through the student leadership team, the house system and the co-curriculum.
• We seek to counter extremism and grooming through an extensive programme of e-safety.
• In addition to the above, the school assembly structure is designed to support British values and to encourage students to be reflective on them.  This policy is regularly reviewed and we seek to give practical effect to implement British values as our highest priority.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC)

SMSC Overview:

At The John Warner School, the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) guidance is at the heart of everything we do.

We aim to promote fundamental British Values and believe these include a sense of mutual respect and tolerance of differences (whether it be differences based on faith, beliefs, culture or background) within our community and in the wider society in which we live.

The school operates by a set of strong moral principles and we seek to actively promote these whenever we can. We want our students to develop into confident, assured individuals who have a clear sense of right and wrong and respect both the individuals and institutions that they encounter.

SMSC in the Curriculum:             

SMSC is embedded within our curriculum through subjects such as RSHE, History, Geography, Religious Studies and Physical Education. For example, in year 10 RSHE they learn about British values and democracy.

Tolerance and respect are core values at The John Warner School. Students acquire an appreciation of and respect both their own and other cultures and traditions, whilst teaching students about different religions, also encourages students to discuss and explore concepts such and identity, diversity and community cohesion.

SMSC in the Pastoral System:

Beyond the classroom students have numerous opportunities that promote SMSC. A strong school ethos is promoted through regular assemblies and a daily tutor programme which encourages students to engage with issues relating to SMSC.

Vision:

To promote the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of our students and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

 Aims:

Encourage and guide pupils to:

• Be reflective about beliefs, values and more profound aspects of human experiences to enable them to use their imagination and creativity and develop curiosity in their learning.
• Develop and apply an understanding of right and wrong in their John Warner School life and outside of school.
• Take part in a range of activities requiring social skills.
• Develop an awareness of, respect towards, diversity in relation to, for example: gender, race, religion and belief, culture, sexual orientation and disability.
• Gain a well-informed understanding of the options and challenges facing them as they move through the school and on to the next stage of their education and training.
• Overcome barriers to learning
• Respond positively to a range of artistic, sporting and other cultural opportunities provided by TJWS, including for example developing an appreciation for theatre, music and literature.
• Develop the skills and attitudes to enable them to participate fully and positively in democratic Britain.
• Understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within TJWS and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life

Definitions:

Spiritual

Beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform pupils’ perspective on life and their interest in and respect of, different people’s feelings and values. A sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them. Use of imagination and creativity in their learning and willingness to reflect on their experiences. A desire and willingness to reflect on their own beliefs, religious or otherwise.

Moral

Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and the pupils’ readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives. Understand the consequences of their actions. Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues. An understanding of the civil and criminal law of England and recognising the legal boundaries that apply to their own lives and actions.

Social

Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Willingness to participate in a variety of social settings, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively. Interest in, and understanding of, the way communities and societies function at a variety of levels. An understanding of what fundamental British Values may be and an awareness of how they can make a positive contribution to life in modern Britain.

Cultural

Understanding and having an appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage. Willingness to participate in, respond to, for example artistic, musical, sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities. Interest in exploring, understanding of, and respect of, cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity as shown by their attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socioeconomic groups in the local, national and global communities. Knowledge of British democratic systems, its history and its continuation to develop Britain.