British Values
The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively from September 2014, and to ensure they are taught in schools. Our duty as an educational establishment is not only to support students in gaining the skills required to pass examinations, but also to develop them into well-rounded students who have the skills to continue with further study and then into the world of work. We believe that it is our duty to help our students develop their own beliefs based on making sound moral judgements, based on exposure to different viewpoints, religions and cultures to prepare them for life in a modern Britain.
Park Lane Academy is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in safeguarding that groups or individuals within the Academy are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unjustifiably, or illegally, influence them.
It follows equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status. Park Lane Academy is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British Values to all its students.
The five key British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Examples of how these are delivered at Park Lane Academy include:
- Park Lane Academy Aims and Ethos;
- Student Voice/Student Council;
- CREaTE curriculum (1 hour weekly);
- Activities within curriculum subjects;
- After school clubs;
- Assemblies;
- Charity work;
- Sporting events;
- Educational visits
Democracy
Democracy plays a key role within day to day life of our Academy. Students have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our Student Council and play a part in our staff recruitment process. Students are also represented by our Y11 Prefects, Head Boy and Girl alongside their deputies.
The rule of law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the Academy or the country, are reinforced during the Academy day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through assemblies and the PDE programme. 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. We have adopted a restorative practice approach to student behaviour, in which children are taught how to accept responsibility for their actions. All students sign an ICT Acceptable Usage Policy.
Individual liberty
Within the Academy, students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms as well teaching them that how they act can impact positively and negatively on others. They are advised how to exercise these freedoms safely, for example through our PDE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge, how they record work or participate in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, students are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual respect
Respect for each other, for our Academy and to others in our community is an integral part of our school ethos and Behaviour Policy. Students see staff model this by treating each other with respect and courtesy and we promote this in the way our students interact with each other in their classes and during social times. Mutual respect and fair play is also discussed within sports based activities. We teach students about the unfairness of discrimination based on someone’s faith, culture or beliefs through the RE element of the PDE curriculum. We run charity events to actively promote mutual respect for all groups in society.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing students understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society. Opportunities to share and discuss this message occur through assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been promoted through PDE and ‘Anti-Bullying’ work, as well as taking opportunities to tackle this during every day school life.
Delivered during form times three times a week