British Values
The Promotion of Fundamental British Values at Cullompton Community College
Democracy
In the taught curriculum:
In Year 8 History, students study the development of political power in Britain from absolute monarchy to democracy. They learn about key events over the last 1,000 years including the changing power of kings, political protests and female suffrage.
In History in Year 9 and at GCSE, students learn about revolution and dictatorship, enabling them to study the differences between political systems.
A theme through KS3 History is diversity and students learn about immigration into Britain, for example, the impact of the Norman Conquest and post-Second World War migration. They also learn about the British Empire and transatlantic slave trade, enabling an understanding of Britain's connections with the world. Through these topics students learn how Britain has been influenced by different people and different cultures.
In Key Stage 4 PSHE, students read and discuss materials about UK democracy, the importance of participating in elections, their rights and responsibilities and other relevant material.
In Drama and PE especially, students learn to work collaboratively, each having their say, in group tasks (such as producing and performing drama).
In the wider curriculum:
Each tutor group elects a representative to the student voice. These representatives take issues of concern for their tutor group to the student voice and feed back to their tutor groups on the outcomes of their meetings either directly or via the student bulletin.
Student voice is regularly used. For example, feedback on specific subjects when reviewing a curriculum area; groups reflecting on PSHE provision and the school culture; student surveys and the student voice panel.
Students have voted for the charities we raise money for on days like non-uniform or the big exercise.
The Rule of Law
In the taught curriculum:
During Key Stage 3 History, students learn how laws are created in the UK.
During Key Stage 4 PSHE, students learn about the UK legal system and how laws are made in parliament.
Also during Key Stage 4 PSHE, students learn about legally protected characteristics and reflect on how having these characteristics protected in law help citizens, and society, to thrive.
During Key Stage 4 PSHE, students learn about the UK legal system and how laws are made in parliament. They also learn about the British constitution (and why it isn’t written down).
Individual Liberty
In the taught curriculum:
In Key Stage 3 PSHE and Computing, students are taught how their liberty to be themselves is protected (where this doesn’t infringe on the rights of others), including online (in the computing e-safety unit of work). This includes their right to privacy.
During Key Stage 4 PSHE, students learn about the UK legal system and how laws are made in parliament.
In Key Stage 3 RE, students learn about how religious teachings and ethical principles intersect to influence people’s behaviour.
In the wider curriculum:
This intersects with the democracy value: pupil voice shows students how their individual expression is listened to and considered in decision-making in the school.
Mutual Respect & Tolerance
In the taught curriculum:
In Key Stage 3 RE, students learn the core teachings and beliefs of the major world religions. This promotes pluralism.
In Key Stage 3 History, students learn about slavery in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the legacy of slavery up to today. They also learn about campaigns for civil rights and against discrimination (including gay rights, disability rights, women’s rights and BAME rights).
In Key Stage 3 PSHE, students are taught about a diverse range of ways of living and lifestyles (for example, different kinds of families), promoting tolerance of people who live differently from themselves. One of the strands throughout KS3 PSHE is ‘Celebrating Difference’.
In Key Stage 3 Geography, students learn about poverty, including the experiences of people living in countries other than the UK. A sense of tolerance without patronisation is promoted through this teaching.
Tutor reading reflects diversity in race, gender and sexuality. Furthermore, Key Stage 3 English includes poetry and novels that are rooted in other cultures and nations than our own.
In the wider curriculum:
Values are regular features of assemblies: for example, those covering respect of personal boundaries and consent; those covering relevant current issues in the news (e.g. refugees crossing the English Channel).
Intolerant behaviour, such as discriminatory language, is always challenged and very robustly dealt with in the behaviour system.
Students come forward and speak to staff when they’ve witnessed or experienced discriminatory language, sharing in our confidence that these incidents are well-managed.
A key principle in the behaviour system is the idea of restoration of relationships. Staff seek to develop strong, mutually respectful and tolerant relationships with students (modelling these values) and always seek to repair relationships where something has gone wrong. Similarly, mediating restorative conversations between students is a key part of our school pastoral systems.
Fundraising for charity is a regular occurrence, promoting the belief in students that helping others, or good causes, is worthwhile.