British Values

British Values 1

The government has defined British values as being the following: democracy; individual liberty; the rule of law; mutual respect; tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are central to our college ethos and are promoted throughout the curriculum and its content as well as throughout every aspect of life at the college, including student experience, display and use of the buildings, assemblies, the behavior code, extra-curricular clubs and activities, and the fundamentally courteous, respectful and sensitive learning community that we are. Each of these values is defined below and placed in our college’s context through the use of examples.

Every member of staff is expected to support and promote these fundamental values as detailed in the current Teacher standards.

Democracy – a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

At TBCC we promote the importance of democracy through such things as:

  • Tutor group student voice representatives

  • Involvement with The United Kingdom Youth Parliament

  • Student voice discussions about key areas of life at the college

  • Student observers

  • Student panels at many interviews for new staff

  • Student feedback box in the main atrium

Students are encouraged to voice their opinions across the curriculum through collaborative working, responses to teacher feedback in books, group work, and questioning by staff.

All students are given the opportunity and support to access the curriculum.

Individual Liberty – the free exercise of individual rights.

At TBCC we value individual liberty through:

  • The opportunity to take on positions of responsibility through student voice work

  • Introducing our students to a range of beliefs and experiences, enabling them to make more informed choices for themselves

Our PSHE and IAG curriculum

Teaching our young people the knowledge and skills they need to broaden their choices for future work, travel and education

Extra curricular activities and clubs

Giving free choice for options subjects at KS4 and 5

Rule of Law - all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.

At our college we promote the importance of the rule of law through such areas as:

The Behaviour Code of Conduct

  • Accountability for staff (Teacher’s Standards), students (code of conduct) and Governors

  • We have strong links with outside agencies including Social Services and the Police.

  • Onsite PCSO

  • The Acceptable use policy is used to promote appropriate use of the internet

  • Students are taught the legal framework for a number of age appropriate issues

  • Safeguarding policy

Mutual Respect - the foundation for honesty, trust, and meaningful communication.

Mutual respect is at the core of our ethos at TBCC, we promote its importance through:

  • Behaviour Policy and Code of Conduct

  • Equal Opportunities policies

  • Guidance on good behaviour in public areas such as the corridor, restaurant and on social media

  • Dress code for staff and students

  • Student led Respect 4 All group

  • Regular Anti-Bullying events

  • PSHE curriculum

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs.

As a diverse community of learners we feel that our differences should be celebrated rather than merely tolerated. We look for every opportunity to promote our diversity and the value of working with people whose faith and beliefs differ from one’s own, some of the ways we do this are:

  • Unique Day

  • PSHE curriculum

  • Assemblies and themed weeks

    A curriculum which helps students to learn about a wide range of people, cultures and beliefs, thereby, developing students ability to make informed decisions, be confident in their own identity and understand and respect that of others.

PSHE Curriculum

At Thomas Bennett we strongly believe that every young person has the right to information that will keep them healthy and safe.

Our curriculum will comprise of six whole school de-timetabled days during which our students will participate in age appropriate workshops on a wide range of themes:

  • Relationships, including sex education

  • Healthy Mind

  • Healthy Body

  • Living in the wider community (including British values)

  • Diversity & Anti-bullying

  • Careers and future plans

Student Wellbeing and Promoting British Values in the Curriculum

Please see below some examples of where student wellbeing and values are promoted in the curriculum:

English

  • Inspirational Speeches

  • Rani & Sukh – texts from other cultures

  • Forced Marriage Topic

  • The range of texts covered and the discussions that arise from these

Drama

  • Anti Bullying Scheme of Work

  • Political Theatre

  • ‘Listen to your Parents’ – script that tackles domestic violence

Geography

  • Climate Change

  • Migration

  • Urban Development

  • Countries of the World

  • Economic activity and the environment

Science

  • Healthy Body

  • Use and abuse of drugs

  • Reproduction

  • Exercise and the human body

  • Nutrition for exercise and fitness

History

  • Local history

  • Judaism, Christianity and Islam

  • Philosophy for children

  • Civil Rights

  • Buddhism

  • Invasion and immigration

Design Technology

  • Sustainable Packaging

Music

  • Rhythms of the World

  • Blues and the slave trade

Food Technology

  • Sports nutrition

  • Food around the world

  • Dietary related health issues