The Department for Education introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values from September 2014, and to ensure they are actively promoted and adhered to in schools.
Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, 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 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. Dronfield Henry Fanshawe 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 set out its definition of 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
We use strategies within the national curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School seeks to instil British Values.
Democracy
Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems.
In school we promote the importance of democracy through such things as:
- The free and fair election process for student positions of responsibility
- Students being encouraged to consider alternative pathways in lessons
- Student Voice on key school decisions through processes including online whole school surveys, school council committees, student voice scrutiny
- Students elect peers to represent them on our student council committees and within our student leadership programme
- Strong adherence to our Equalities policy and objectives in line with the Equality Act 2010
The rule of law
All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.
In school we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:
- DHFS Core learning values, agreed with students
- School code of conduct and behaviour and discipline policies
- Marking and feedback and homework policies set to clear boundaries, which are explained clearly to students and staff
- Accountability is stressed to all stakeholders including staff (Teacher’s Standards), students (Student code of conduct) and Governors
Individual liberty
Individual liberty suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside Government control.
In school we promote the importance of individual liberty through such things as:
- A robust and clear anti-bullying culture and policy for all students and staff, which allows the opportunity for individual choices in a safe and supportive environment
- The increasing liberty afforded to students as they move up through the years
- Year 11 and Sixth Form students allowed to leave the site at certain times, with some Key Stage 4 groups taught off-site, in particular PE
- The wealth of extra-curricular activities and clubs available to all students
- Students actively encouraged to express views and opinions in lessons in a formative manner
- Students offered choice for their future academic pathways as they move through the Key Stages
- Opportunities for freedom of speech and expression through mediums such as the school newsletter, school newspaper and student-led assemblies
- Elements of choice and student input in the school canteen menu within healthy boundaries
Mutual respect
The proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated.
In school we promote the importance of mutual respect through such things as:
- DHFS core learning values
- School mission statement
- Clear guidance on the impact of good behaviour all facets of school life
- 3Rs@dhfs: learning culture promotes students to take responsibility for their actions and the implications of negative behaviour on others
- The publishing and enforcement of impeccable uniform and appearance for students
- Wellbeing promotes mutual respect through the skills developed in focus of the week (FOTW) / assemblies / information days / PSHE and our broad and balanced curriculum
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
A fair, objective, and permissive attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own.
In school we promote the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through such things as:
- Development through the Vertical House System; mentor time, assemblies, FOTW, SMSC word of the week
- Acceptance of faith symbolism
- Christmas and Easter services at the community Church
- Religious Studies taught to all students across all key stages
- Governance includes faith representative from the Church of England
- ‘House’ Chaplains delivering Faith assemblies.
- PSHE curriculum and Information Days