British Values Statement

​Promoting British values

Rowdeford School is committed to serving its community.
It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subject to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. It follows 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. Rowdeford School is dedicated to preparing pupils for their adult life in modern Britain beyond the formal examined curriculum serving the whole community and ensuring that it actively promotes and reinforces British values to all its pupils. The government emphasises that schools have a duty to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools.
The government sets out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The four British Values are: ​

Democracy.
The rule of law.
Individual liberty.
​Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs​.

​The school uses strategies within the national curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Rowdeford School actively promotes embedded British values. 

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Democracy 

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Rowdeford School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community. For instance, elections being part of the process for electing School Council Representatives. Pupils have a voice that is listened to through the School Council. The principle of democracy is also explored in History and Religious Education as well as in tutor time and assemblies. Mock general elections support this value. 

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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 Rowdeford School. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the school code of conduct. Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind the laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the police within the school reinforce this message. 

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​Individual liberty 

At Rowdeford School, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, in the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Rowdeford educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. 

​Pupils 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 sessions during Computing lessons. Rowdeford has a robust anti-bullying policy. 

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Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs 

Respect is a strong part of Rowdeford School. Pupils 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 pupils to express their views in a safe environment, with the school’s aim to ‘develop personal responsibility and respect’.

Tolerance is achieved through equipping pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. The Religious Studies curriculum, which is compulsory for all pupils up to the end of key Stage 4, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures. The syllabus helps pupils to have a broader understanding of the spiritual, moral and sociological issues and encourages them to think about their own spiritual development. The school has a robust ant-racism policy and uses restorative justice to support pupils.

​Rowdeford School strives endlessly to ensure that its pupils leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our society.