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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, 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

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

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

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

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

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.