British Values
Promoting British Values at TAS
At TAS, we are dedicated to developing and promoting British Values throughout our school and across our curriculum. A key element of our educational mission is to ensure that children become valuable, well-rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain. All staff members are expected to uphold the fundamental principles of British Values, which include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance. At TAS, these values are consistently reinforced and promoted through our core values, ethos, curriculum, personal development programs, assembly themes, RSE, and PSHE work.
British Values We Uphold and Teach
British Values are defined as:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect
- Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
Through these values, our children will develop:
- An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
- An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected by law.
- An acceptance that people with different faiths, beliefs, or no beliefs should be accepted and tolerated, without facing discrimination.
- An understanding of the importance of recognising and combating discrimination.
- Awareness of protected characteristics and the significance of addressing inequalities and challenging prejudicial behaviour and language.
How We Teach British Values
British Values are explicitly taught through our Personal, Social, Health, and Emotional (PSHE) lessons. They are also embedded in a broad and balanced curriculum that includes real opportunities to explore these values, such as in History and Geography, and through our assemblies. Actively promoting these values also involves challenging opinions or behaviour in school that contradict them. These values are integral to our mission and are reinforced regularly.
Weekly British Value
At TAS, we highlight a specific “British Value” each week, integrating it into our assemblies and classroom discussions. This focus is a key component of our PSHE curriculum.
Vote for Schools Initiative: Empowering Young Voices
Our participation in the Votes for Schools initiative provides resources to promote discussion on challenging current issues, aligning with the development and understanding of British Values. Through this program, children have the opportunity to vote and express their opinions, ensuring that their voices are heard and have an impact. Vote for Schools is underpinned by three key values: Be Informed, Be Curious, Be Heard.
Democracy at TAS
Democracy is deeply embedded across the school. We encourage ‘pupil voice’ through feedback forms, pupil conferencing, and other avenues. Children are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions heard. We also encourage children to take ownership of their own learning and progress.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they govern the classroom, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced throughout the school day and in the management of behavior. Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws: that they protect us, involve responsibilities, and have consequences when broken. This is reinforced through visits from authorities like the Police and Fire Service, which are regular parts of our school calendar, and through Religious Education when discussing rules of faiths. In sports and other subjects, children learn to appreciate and respect different rules and understand the consequences of breaking them.
Individual Liberty
At TAS, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Children are actively encouraged to make choices in a safe environment, supported by a planned curriculum. For example, through our e-Safety teaching, we ensure that children understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms safely. We aim to empower children by educating them within a secure environment, providing boundaries to make safe and informed choices.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is a core value at TAS. We have high expectations for politeness and believe that everyone has unique strengths that should be respected. Our school ethos and behaviour policy revolve around Core Values such as ‘Respect,’ and children engage in discussions and assemblies to understand and demonstrate this value. Respect for others is promoted throughout the school, from classroom expectations to behaviour policies, and is visually reinforced by posters around the school. We ensure that all members of our school community are valued equally.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs
We are proud to celebrate and promote the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of our students at TAS. Tolerance, politeness, and mutual respect are central to our mission, vision, ethos, and R.E. curriculum. Our goals focus on ensuring that our children can live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. Children learn that respect is expected for everyone, regardless of differences, and this is achieved by enhancing their understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by providing opportunities to experience that diversity.
Safeguarding and British Values
As part of TAS’s ongoing safeguarding and child protection duties, we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy. Since July 1, 2015, all schools have been required under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.” This duty is known as the Prevent Duty for Schools.
TAS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and families. We recognize that in an ever-changing world, it is essential to promote children’s well-being, confidence, and resilience. We provide up-to-date, age-appropriate information and direct children to resources for support when necessary. For more information, please visit our safeguarding page.