British Values

At Linslade we aspire to teach our children to look beyond the superficial stereotypes that are often quoted as what it is to be British and to understand, appreciate and embed the fundamental values that underpin our British society.

The Department for Education states that there is a 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.”

At Linslade School we regularly reinforce British values in the following ways:

Democracy – Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process.

The role of Democracy is embedded in our school in a variety of ways.

Pupils are given many opportunities to voice their own opinions and make changes. Our students are taught to respect the right of every individual through our PSHE lessons and tutor time; pupils are encouraged to have their own opinions whilst respecting other's views allowing for participation by all.

Linslade School promotes the importance of democracy through such things as:

• The school council is created from pupils across all four year groups and based solely on pupil votes which reflects our British electoral system. The school council is then involved in representing the student body at official functions as well as fulfilling their election promises. This can include:-
• Deciding how to equip their social areas, environmental improvements, rewards, meals.
• School Council Members may be present at job interviews, at Remembrance Services, talking to parents at Open Evening.
• School Council Members participating in Youth Voice conferences and bringing changes to our school.
• Democracy is also demonstrated through our participation in the bi-annual election of two Year 8 candidates to represent us at the Central Bedfordshire Youth Parliament.
• As a school we regularly participate in the Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark national vote on issues concerning Young People and incorporate our schools results in our School Council plans for the year ahead.
• Students as learning partners, debating and discussing in lessons.
• Pupil representation to Governors

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, will be consistently reinforced throughout our school day, through assemblies and when dealing with behaviour in school.

Pupils are encouraged to distinguish right from wrong and we help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law helps to protect individuals. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws and rules and that there are responsibilities and consequences associated with these laws/rules. School assemblies and visits from authorities such as the Police help reinforce this message. Restorative approach has been developed through staff training with Paul Carlise.

We promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:

• The Behaviour Code of Conduct
• Liaison with outside agencies including Social Services and the Police when necessary
• E-safety lessons
• Safeguarding policy

Individual liberty – respect for the liberties of all within the law.

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.

Pupils can access the use of The Hub at any time and the support of Pastoral support staff, form tutor and head of key stage. Pupils feel that they are supported and listened to. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms within the rules of our school. They are regularly advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety lessons, tutor times, in year and key stage assemblies. Through our varied extracurricular activities and developing house competitions, pupils are given the freedom to make choices that they will benefit from throughout their lives.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is fundamental to all we do at Linslade.

Our pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others around them. The pupils know and understand that it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone in the school no matter what differences there may be. As one of our core values ‘Respect’ underpins what we do in and out of the classroom. All members of the school community aim to treat each other with respect and this is seen through the positive relationships between pupils and staff.

In school we promote the importance of mutual respect through such things as:

• Behaviour policy and Code of Conduct
• Clear guidance on good behaviour in public areas such as the Dining room, playgrounds and on social media
• The RE/PSHE curriculum helps pupils to learn about a wide range of people, cultures and beliefs and so develops their ability to make informed decisions, and to be confident in their own identity and understand and respect that of others.
• Sports Leadership programme where Yr8 work with younger pupils of all ages and abilities, in lessons, at clubs and when running sports events.
• Assemblies
• School Visits
• Visiting speakers

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Our school welcomes all children and families and promotes diversity.

We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Assemblies and our Festivals projects are regularly planned to address and celebrate different beliefs and cultures.

Our RE/PSHE lessons, form times and day to day teaching reinforce this. 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 confidently identify themselves as British and uphold British Values.