Promoting British Values at Bradon Forest School

At Bradon Forest School, we are committed to promoting British Values as part of our responsibility to prepare students for life in modern Britain. The Department for Education defines British Values as Democracy, The Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect, and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs. These values are taught explicitly in Personal Development lessons and during Midweek Matters tutor sessions, but also underpin everything we do. The British Values are embedded across all subjects, in our school ethos, and across wider school life.

Democracy
Students have opportunities to contribute to school life through frequent Student Voice sessions. Randomly selected students meet with members of staff to discuss their thoughts and opinions on key topics and action is taken dependent on the feedback provided. Furthermore, each tutor group elects School Council representatives who meet each term to deliberate over a varied agenda that has previously anything from curriculum to non-uniform days to toilet usage. Students are also placed into Houses where they are given the opportunity to work together to achieve a common goal. Students are invited to work along staff and governors in the employment of new staff and are chosen to be part of the interview process via student panels. Parallel elections and Trust debate events have also further developed student understanding of democracy in action.

Students are given the opportunity to debate and discuss democracy in many areas of the curriculum. Opportunities for all students to learn about democracy and participate in the democratic process are seen particularly in English, Humanities and Personal Development; although all subjects will involve discussion, turn taking, debate and decision making. 

The Rule of Law

Understanding and respecting laws is essential for a safe and fair society. At Bradon Forest School, we promote this through our clear behaviour policies, regular assemblies, and visits from local authorities such as the police and fire service. Students learn about the importance of rules in school and society, as well as the consequences of breaking them. In Personal Development lessons, we discuss laws relating to rights, responsibilities, and justice.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through assemblies. Students have been involved in the creation and monitoring of the consequences system through their student councils.

Students are taught the history, value and reasons behind laws that govern and protect us. The consequences system is shared at the start of the new academic year and revisited through assemblies and tutor periods throughout the year. The school host visits from outside agencies, e.g. The Police and Fire Service, to help reinforce the importance of this message.

Individual Liberty

We foster an environment where students feel safe to express themselves and make informed choices. We have a positive culture in our school where students are able to make choices in a safe environment. Our curriculum promotes independent thinking and responsibility, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning. Through e-safety lessons and discussions on rights and freedoms, we teach students how to make safe and responsible decisions, both online and offline. Our curriculum celebrates the rich history of liberty in Britain through discussion of such areas as the arts, sports as well as the spoken and written word. The school curriculum enables all students to make guided choices regarding future academic pathways and possible careers. We hold an annual careers fayre and regularly invite external speakers to discuss career opportunities with students. At Bradon Forest School, we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities from sports to performing arts to gaming to ensure students have plenty of choice available to them. 

Mutual Respect

Respect is at the heart of our school ethos and is one of our core values. We model and encourage positive relationships between staff and students, as well as among peers. Our anti-bullying initiatives and peer mentoring programs further support a culture of mutual respect. The Consequences System engenders our basic belief in mutual respect. Assemblies, tutor time activities, and subjects such as RE and PSHE reinforce the importance of treating others with kindness and fairness. All staff in school promote and demonstrate respect for others and this is also reflected in older students in their roles as House Captains, Prefects, Peer Mentors and Sports Captains. Achievement is celebrated across the school; in assemblies, using House Points, through postcards home, Student of the Term Awards and through our website and newsletters. At the end of the academic year, the school holds a Celebration Evening which often involves over 150 students.  Year 10 Peer Mentors meet Year 6 during their induction days and continue their work with them throughout Year 7 building strong relationships built on mutual respect. 

Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We celebrate diversity and encourage understanding of different cultures and religions. Through Religious Education lessons, cultural events, and guest speakers, students gain insights into various faiths and worldviews. We promote open discussions and challenge discrimination, ensuring that all students feel valued and included in our school community. At Bradon Forest School, we believe that tolerance is built through enhancing students’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity through the curriculum and in extra-curricular activities. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been led by senior staff and this is reinforced in learning particularly in RS and Personal Development lessons as well as other subjects across the school. The school also offers various opportunities for students to become knowledgeable about other faiths and beliefs through visits abroad and visits from outside speakers of different faiths and cultures. The school has a zero-tolerance approach to all hate crimes, including racism, and very few instances are reported.

By embedding British Values into all aspects of school life, we equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to contribute positively to society. At Bradon Forest School, we are proud to nurture responsible, respectful, and well-rounded individuals who understand and uphold these fundamental values.