British Values
Promoting British Values
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
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.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at King John, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community. For instance, elections are part of the process for selecting representatives for the Student leadership group, Student Voice and Head Boy/Girl and the deputies. The principle of democracy is also explored in subjects such as history, RE, PSHE as well as in tutor time and assemblies. Visits to Parliament, debating events, and mock general elections also support this value.
Our students have the opportunity meet a local MP to learn what it means to work in government and Student Council members are elected, putting into practise some of the principles they learn.
Students take part in a consultation process when changes need to be made, 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.
The rule of law
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. 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 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 PSHE lessons.
Individual liberty
Staff at King John provide an empowering education and positive boundaries for students whilst actively encouraging them to make individual and informed choices in a safe environment.
Students are encouraged to know and understand their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely. This is delivered through e-safety and in PSHE lessons and during tutor time. King John School has a robust anti-bullying culture as a result of a high-level pastoral support structure and a comprehensive Behaviour Policy. 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.
Mutual respect
Respect is a strong part of King John School and is part of its aims and values. Students learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing 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 Council members, feed back to them any concerns they wish to be raised 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. King John is a Rights Respecting school and 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.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
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. The tutor programme includes a positive thought for the week for students to focus on and help students understand other students’ cultures and beliefs.
