How IKB Academy promotes British values
The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. At IKB Academy these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
Democracy is widespread within the school. Students engage positively with the realities of life in a democracy, and understand and appreciate the history, heritage and wide ranging cultural influences that underpin our individual and shared experience of life in modern Britain.
The school has a system of Student Council, of which meets on a termly basis. The council meetings provide a forum for students to discuss issues relevant to their experience of school life and to engage in projects to improve the learning culture, the school environment and support charity.
The School Council has made a number of significant improvements to the school including implementing a cycle permit scheme to highlight safer cycling and input into the school canteen with regards food options at bbreak and lunch.
Through tutor time students have the opportunity to feedback back opinions on their experiences in activities e.g. we have recently begun to hold Votes For Schools sessions which require students to vote with other school around the country. The issues they vote upon are topical and encourage students to think about life in modern Britain
The role of democracy is reinforced each year when the school held its own mock election through the Make Your Mark campaign where students throughout the school were then given the opportunity to part in the largest youth vote in the country. This voting determines what our local Member of Youth Parliament will discuss with MPs in the House of Commons. Prior to voting students discussed the importance of democracy and tutor and assembly sessions on the issue. Our Sixth form students have previously participated in a debate with representatives from the main parties; students had the opportunity to put their questions to the candidates on education, immigration, money, the environment and many other topical issues. At election times we always run in school elections to allow students the opportunity to debate the real world elements of democracy.
The rule of Law
The importance of the rule of law, 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 school assemblies. Students are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Students recognise the difference between right and wrong, understand that actions have consequences, and apply this in their own lives by respecting English civil and criminal law. Visits from authorities such as the police are used to reinforce tolerance and respect. In addition PSHE delivers activities on ‘crime and punishment’ and ‘drug and alcohol awareness’.
Individual liberty
Within school, 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 choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety and PSHE.
Students are given the freedom to make choices whether it is through choice of challenge or participation in extensive extra-curricular clubs and opportunities. They have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves and others, and the world around them, and participate actively in artistic, sporting or cultural activities.
Students make choices relating to the KS4 and KS5 curriculum that they wish to follow. Students have individual meetings with a member of the senior leadership team e.g. during year 9 GCSE recruitment interviews, year 11 sixth form interviews.
Mutual respect and tolerance
Our approach to school assemblies and behaviour is to have a values led approach. ‘Respect’ is an important value of the school’s code with all members of the school community treating each other with respect. Students have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown e.g. through our Them and Us campaigns which encourage our students to take part in community action to make our school and wider community a more respectful and tolerant place to be. Students also are mindful of other students within their classes whom are also demonstrating such values. Mutual respect is an integrated part of classroom behaviour, as well as our whole school approach to behaviour.
The school promotes an environment where all students work and socialise with students from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, co-operating well, celebrating diversity and resolving conflicts effectively. Ethnic minorities are included in all aspects of the school e.g. leadership roles, sport, drama, music etc.
