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, and these values have been recently reiterated.  At Gosforth East Middle School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

• Pupil voice in decisions and opinions about school life. Includes pupil feedback.

• Voting/elections for House Captains, council representatives or other pupil roles

• Class votes and debates

• School aims

• PSHE Curriculum

• History Curriculum

• Peer mentoring or pupil leadership - For example Sports Ambassadors and peer reading mentors.

• Pupils helping to plan clubs, events or charity activities

• In class debates on controversial or topical issues in an age-appropriate way

• Opportunities for pupils to represent their peers in the school council

• School council taking a lead on key changes to school life

• Guest Speakers 

• Trips and visits such as voting on the cinema trip

• Eco Council / Sports Ambassadors / other pupil committees

We have the Pupil Council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised in class council meetings and to consult on questions asked by the Headteacher. The council meets regularly with a member of SLT and is able to genuinely effect change within the school.  

Each year there is a whole school election process in which the children vote for the House Captains to represent and lead their House.

The curriculum in PSHCE includes democracy within the teaching, both as its own topic and when intertwined within other topics.

Student Voice is a key focus within subjects and views and opinions are listened to and considered when planning the curriculum. 

We offer a range of leadership opportunities such as Sports Ambassadors, Door Monitors and Eco-Champions to encourage students to take an active part in school life. 

The Rule of Law

• Clear rewards and consequences

• School aims

• School behaviour policy

• PSHE Curriculum

• Consistent application of school rules and behaviour policy

• Behaviour for learning approach and expectations modeled by all staff

• Safeguarding procedures
• Online safety and responsible use of technology
• Understanding rights and responsibilities

• Sports rules and fair play at events and fixtures

• Anti-bullying procedures
• Attendance expectations
• Restorative conversations following incidents
• Visits from police, emergency services or other community organisations

• Learning why laws exist, rather than simply being told to follow rules

• Assemblies and Guest Speakers

The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced by the school ethos.  At Gosforth East Middle School, we follow the 4Rs, and our rules and high, clear expectations are taught to the children through the curriculum and through school assemblies. This is supported by a robust rewards system and strong pastoral care. Pupils 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. Visits from other agencies such as the magistrates, Police and Dave Burns help reinforce this message and help the children understand through real-life examples.  Children take part in 'Bikeabillity' and through this they learn the law of the road. In addition, Road safety and legal consequences of actions are covered with the PSHCE curriculum. 

Individual Liberty

• Choice of clubs and extracurricular activities

• School aims

• PSHE Curriculum

• Lunch choice

• Choosing leadership and responsibility roles
• Expressing opinions respectfully
• Creative choice within lessons and projects
• Personal goal setting

• Careers aspirations and future pathways included in the Careers curriculum

• Online safety – making safe and informed choices
• Teaching consent and personal boundaries
• Supporting pupils to develop their own interests
• Opportunities to make choices while understanding their consequences
• Encouraging pupils to challenge stereotypes

• Choice of enrichment activities

• Choice of what to spend House Points on 

• Student Council work

• Relation and Sex education

• Assemblies and Guest Speakers

• Choices about which stalls to run at the school fayres

Within school, pupils 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 young pupils to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education.  Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and they are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHCE lessons. The curriculum is all-inclusive and celebratory of individuality. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, of how they record, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

• Inclusive classrooms

• High expectations of behaviour

• Respectful school rules

• School aims

• OPAL play

• PSHE Curriculum

• SEND inclusion
• Peer support and mentoring
• Teamwork and collaborative learning
• Sportsmanship

• Respectful language and school culture

• Assemblies and Guest Speakers

• The 5 Rs

• Anti-bullying work
• Celebrating pupil achievements
• Charity and community projects
• Supporting younger pupils
• Restorative approaches
• Staff modelling respectful disagreement

• School performances, competitions and team activities

• Performances in assemblies

• The school production

• Respect for school staff, visitors and the wider community

Our whole school ethos is built on respect, mutual respect that is at the heart of our school. Children 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. This is taught explicitly through the curriculum, assemblies and the behaviour system. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

• School aims
• Inclusive school environment
• PSHE Curriculum
• RE Curriculum
• Trips and visits
• School culture
• Literacy texts chosen carefully
• Assemblies and guest speakers
• Anti-Bullying work with restorative education

Clear and consistent consequences

Gosforth East prides itself on its culturally rich and diverse curriculum.  Assemblies are regularly planned to share a wider understanding and respect for others through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHCE teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths. At Gosforth East we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

Value the Importance of Identifying and Combatting Extremism

All adults working at Gosforth East Middle School are aware of their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of every pupil. This involves being safe both physically and emotionally, in and out of school. Each member of staff understands the importance of protecting children from radicalisation and extremism and have been trained in how to spot the signs and actions to take. All staff understand it is as important to safeguard against radicalisation and extremism as it is to safeguard against any vulnerability. We take steps to highlight and protect any child from being radicalised and exposed to extremist views by identifying such pupils and placing prompt support in place.