British Values
Promoting Fundamental British Values: An Introduction
The King John School is committed to serving its community. We recognise the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom, and understand 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.
We follow 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. The King John School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum, serving the whole community and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British Values to all our students. The government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools and sets out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
At The King John School, Fundamental British Values are not taught in isolation. They are embedded throughout our Character Education curriculum and wider school culture through our PRIDE values of Positivity, Resilience, Integrity, Dignity and Equality, and the key virtues that sit beneath them. British Values are also taught explicitly through our Skills (PSHE) lessons, as well as our tutor programme linking in with National Events. It is also covered through wider personal development and curriculum opportunities as outlined below. This ensures that British Values are caught, taught and sought across all key stages, supporting students to belong, achieve and thrive.
The examples that follow show some of the many ways King John School seeks to embed British Values through strategies within the national curriculum and beyond.
British Values – An Overview
For more detail, please see the sections below:
Democracy
We promote democracy by giving students meaningful opportunities to develop their voice, influence decision-making and understand the importance of participation.
Through our Character Education curriculum, students:
- Learn about student voice, leadership and responsibility, developing virtues such as confidence, fairness and respect for others’ views.
- Take part in student leadership roles across all key stages (e.g. Tutor Representatives, Sports Captains, Trust Student Leaders), learning to represent others responsibly.
- Nominate peers for PRIDE Core Value Awards, recognising positive character traits such as kindness, integrity and resilience in others.
- Reflect on the importance of listening, turn-taking and collective decision-making, strengthening virtues such as respect and empathy.
These experiences help students understand that democracy depends on participation, fairness and respect.
Across the school, democratic processes are used for important decisions within the school community. Student Voice is integral to the school, with every student given the opportunity to contribute their ideas, and hear feedback as part of ‘You Said We Did’ about how their voice is heard and responded to.
Students take part consultation processes for key changes, such as to uniform or to the Behaviour for Learning Policy, prior to implementation. Additionally, they also annually elect which charities will benefit from fundraising activities. Students may also be part of student panels at times for recruitment.
Elections are part of the process for selecting representatives for Student leadership groups, including Principal Student Leaders, as well as Student Voice. The principle of democracy is also explored in subjects such as history, and RE, and debate is encouraged in lessons where appropriate.
The rule of law
We promote the rule of law by helping students understand the importance of rules, fairness, accountability and personal responsibility.
Through our Character Education curriculum, students:
- Explore Integrity as a core value, with a focus on virtues such as honesty, accountability, responsibility and courage.
- Learn rules exist to keep people safe, ensure fairness and protect the rights of others.
- Are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and understand consequences in a fair and consistent way.
- See adults consistently model integrity and accountability through routines, expectations and respectful conduct.
This supports students in understanding how rules and laws contribute to a safe, just and orderly society.
Across the school, the importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the country are consistently reinforced at King John.
Students are taught King John’s rules and expectations, which are highlighted by the Code of Conduct and Student Behaviour Policy. Students are taught the value and the reasons behind rules that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken – both inside and outside of the school. Visits from authorities such as the police and Essex Fire and Rescue reinforce this message. Students have a clear understanding of the Behaviour for Learning rules. Sanctions are clearly discussed with students and actions and consequences are regularly talked about in assemblies, tutor time and Skills lessons.
Individual liberty
We promote individual liberty by supporting students to develop confidence, independence and the ability to make informed, responsible choices.
Through our Character Education curriculum, students:
- Develop Positivity and Resilience, underpinned by virtues such as optimism, perseverance, determination and help-seeking.
- Are encouraged to express their views respectfully while understanding boundaries and responsibilities.
- Learn about self-regulation, wellbeing and personal responsibility through reflection and discussion.
- Are supported to balance freedom with responsibility, particularly as they move through KS4 and KS5.
This helps students understand their rights and freedoms while making safe, considered choices.
Across the school, students are encouraged to know and understand their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, whether online or in person. Individual freedom of expression and choice is often considered as part of discussions during tutor time, during assemblies, RE lessons and during national Anti-Bullying Week. Students are encouraged to be, and are, supportive of the individual differences and journeys of those around them, and understand there are consequences to their actions, reinforced as part of the rule of law, as well as the school behaviour policy.
King John School has a robust anti-bullying culture as a result of a high-level pastoral support structure and a comprehensive Behaviour Policy, alongside the promotion of mutual respect and tolerance.
Students are able to make informed choices linked to their KS4 Pathways and KS5 subject selections, as well as work experience opportunities. Their grade reports are used to help students reflect on and take responsibility for their learning, behaviour and attendance. Students grow in independence as they move through the school.
Mutual respect
We promote mutual respect by fostering a culture where kindness, empathy and dignity underpin all relationships.
Through our Character Education curriculum, students:
- Learn explicitly about Dignity, focusing on virtues such as respect, empathy, compassion, kindness and self-respect.
- Practise respectful communication, particularly during disagreement or conflict.
- See positive behaviour recognised and reinforced through virtue-based language and PRIDE awards.
- Experience consistent modelling of respectful behaviour by staff across the school.
This ensures students understand the importance of treating others with care, courtesy and consideration.
Across the school, students learn that their behaviour affects their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is evidenced through the learning environment, as well as community behaviour. The curriculum provides the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment. Students are encouraged to express considered opinions with enthusiasm and respect for others.
Students elect their Student Voice and leadership members, raise to them any concerns they wish to be discussed by staff, and trust them to do so in a mature, positive and respectful manner. They also respond positively to the feedback that the Student Voice bring to them following meetings. Peer mentoring programmes such as the anti-bullying ambassadors and the PALS system further strengthen the concept of mutual respect and support the embedding of tolerance.
Students consider self-respect as part of healthy relationship work in Skills.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
We promote tolerance and inclusion by encouraging understanding, empathy and appreciation of difference.
Through our Character Education curriculum, students:
- Explore Equality as a core value, focusing on virtues such as fairness, inclusivity, justice and openness.
- Learn to challenge prejudice and exclusion appropriately and respectfully.
- Are encouraged to listen to and value different perspectives, beliefs and experiences, through Culture Day, Black History Month and Pride Month, as well as other National Events and Awareness Days.
- Apply these virtues through Student Leadership roles, community involvement and real-life situations beyond the classroom.
This supports students in developing respect for diversity and prepares them to live positively in modern Britain.
Across the school, this is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by creating opportunities to experience diversity within the school community. King John School 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. A variety of religious beliefs are not only tolerated but embraced by staff and students, as seen through popular key cultural events like Black History Month.
Alongside our Religious Education curriculum, the tutor programme includes Thought for the Weeks for students to focus on and help students understand other students’ cultures and beliefs; ‘Big Questions’ are used to encourage students to consider these topics from religious and philosophical perspectives.
