Promoting British Values at The Weston Road Academy

 Promoting British values at The Weston Road Academy

The Academy takes every opportunity to promote British Values, defined by the
government as the following:
• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

In actively promoting British Values, we will also focus on, and be able to show, how our
work with students is effective in embedding fundamental British values. Actively promoting
also means challenging students, staff, parents or carers that may express opinions contrary
to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
The curriculum is mapped in detail across the whole Academy. Listed below are some
examples of how we promote these values in our Academy community:

Democracy

Student voice is significant in regards to life at the Academy. Our student elected Academy
Council plays a significant role in our Academy. They are elected by their class peers and are
involved in making the Academy a better place to learn. Students have a great amount of
input into the life of the Academy through the use of the student voice.

Student questionnaires and interviews are also conducted throughout the year. We know
that the formation of the Academy Council, and the active participation of our students in it,
will sow the seeds for a more sophisticated understanding of democracy in the future. We
have regular visits and activities that reinforce democracy, these have included visits from
local and national MPs and the Academy Council have the opportunity to visit the Houses of
Parliament. Various students take part in the recruitment process for new staff. During this
process they will not only give their own opinion, but also learn about considering and
empathising with others before coming to a collective decision.

The Rule of Law

Our students will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our
students to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the
neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.

This understanding of the importance of rules will be consistently reinforced through
assemblies and our curriculum. The involvement of our students in the creation of the
Academy rules helps them to understand the reasons behind the rules and the
consequences if they are broken. We allow opportunity to debate and discuss the reasons
for laws so that children can recognise the importance of these for their own protection.
Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including
police, war veterans, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations
and real-life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our students. 

Individual Liberty

At The Weston Road Academy, students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing
that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide
boundaries for students to make informed choices, through an empowering education.
Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal
freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example, through our E-Safety
assemblies and SHARE lessons.

Mutual respect

Mutual respect is at the core of our Academy life. Students learn that their behaviours have
an effect on their own rights and those of others. Students learn to treat each other and
staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around the Academy and in the
classrooms. Our Academy rules are Ready, Respectful and Safe. This is constantly reinforced
in assemblies, tutor time and throughout the school day, with a big emphasis on our Positive
Discipline system, built on rewarding good behaviour.
The Academy prides itself on the excellent charity work that students take part in
throughout the year. The Academy also has a robust anti- bullying policy and a culture in
which everybody plays their role in reducing bullying.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

At the Academy we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions
are studied and respected. At the Academy we strongly believe that tolerance is gained
through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our
daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become
knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.