Promoting British Values

• British values and English File
• SMSC Guidance Maintained Schools File
• Promoting British Values

  What are British values?

  According to my research, British fundamental values are:

  Value	Meaning/Example
  Democracy	A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
  The rule of law	The restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.
  Individual liberty	The liberty of those persons who are free from external restraint in the exercise of those rights which are considered to be outside the province of a government to control
  Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith	Defined as a proper regard for the dignity of a person or position. It is the value we see in the other person. For some, mutual respect is a new mindset. The old mindset gives little or no credit or appreciation to what the man or woman is currently doing

   

  How must we educate?

   Advice from the DfE (Department of Education) is that British values should be promoted through SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural development).

   

   What must be taught?

   Curriculum

  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 of 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 for public institutions and services in England Further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures Encourage respect for other people 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

  How will it be assessed and impact measured?

  Ofsted Inspectors will consider:

  • how the school/college/provider prepares pupils/learners positively for life in modern Britain and promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.'

   

   Following the Government's Prevent agenda, has put a duty on schools, colleges and providers to monitor and report on potential extremism.

   

  How to promote British Values

   The table below identifies how the five key aspects of British values are delivered at Pathway Group:

   

  Democracy	The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Pathway Group, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the local community, for instance, elections being held for Pathway Group representatives.   Discussions and debates at and around local and general elections.   The principle of democracy is also explored in the Equality and Diversity sessions where history and religious is discussed openly
  The rule of law	The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the training programme, the organisation, or the country, are consistently reinforced.   Students are taught the rules and expectations of the organisation which are highlighted by Behaviour expectations.   Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.   Guidance from local authority bodies such as the Police, Council and Fire Service reinforce this message.
  Individual liberty	At Pathway Group, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment.   Staff at Pathway Group educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.   Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and independent work. Students self-manage – there are no bells used in Pathway Group and students can choose where in they go during break times.   There is CCTV throughout the Pathway Group centres and this helps staff and students feel safe.   Pathway Group has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour Policy.
  Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith	Respect is a strong part of Pathway Group and is part of its Mission Statement. Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.   All members of Pathway Group treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.   Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum.   This provides the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment.
  Democracy	This is achieved though equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the local community.   Students benefit from attendance and group participation, this can often include students from other cultures.   Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within Pathway Group and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year.   Pathway Group strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our society.

   

  Pathway Group is very grateful for the support of schools, colleges training providers and local community projects in the delivery and development of British Fundamental Values.

  Credits to:

  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/380595/SMSC_Guidance_Maintained_Schools.pdf

  Birmingham City Council

  Local Schools & Communities

  Ofsted

  Department of Education

• British Values Folder
• Radicalisation and Violent Extremism Folder