British Values

Southfield School reflects the promotion of British Values across our curriculum and wider provision.

Our approach is aligned to the Government's PREVENT theme of the anti-terrorist strategy CONTEST.

These British Values are:

  • Democracy

  • Individual liberty

  • Rule of law

  • Mutual respect

  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Each of the values are defined below and placed in a school context through the use of examples. It is, without question, everyone’s responsibility to understand these values and to ensure that they are not undermined.

Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems.

At Southfield, we promote the importance of democracy through such things as:

  • the free and fair electoral process for student positions of responsibility

  • students being encouraged to consider alternative pathways in lessons

  • student voice on key school decisions through processes including online whole school surveying, the school council and the school nutrition action group (SNAG)

  • students elect peers to represent them

Individual liberty suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside Government control.

In school we promote the importance of individual liberty through such things as:

  • the increasing liberty afforded to students as they move up through the years

  • the wide range of extra-curricular activities and clubs, trips and experiences

  • students are encouraged to voice their own views and opinions in lessons in a constructive manner

  • students offered autonomy over choices regarding academic pathways

  • elements of choice in the school canteen within healthy boundaries

All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.

In school we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:

  • there is a shared Behaviour for Learning policy.

  • feedback, as well as homework policies set clear boundaries which are explained clearly to students.

  • accountability is stressed to all stakeholders including staff [Teacher’s Standards and Code of Conduct], students [Behaviour for Learning],and Governors

Mutual respect is the proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated.

We promote the importance of mutual respect at Southfield, through such things as:

  • clear guidance on good behaviour

  • the development of good relationships between staff and students and between students themselves

  • ·the publishing and enforcement of a smart dress code for students and staff

  • wellbeing promotes mutual respect through the skills developed in individual sessions, PSHE lessons, assemblies and form time programmes

We promote fair, objective, and permissive attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own.

In school we promote the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through such things as:

  • observance of Christmas services.

  • Religious Education taught to all students across KS3 & 4

  • Providing a space for those who wish to pray before during or at the end of the school day