British Values & Prevent Duty

Castle Hill High School is committed to serving its community. We recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understands the vital role we have in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

Castle Hill High School 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, or similar. We are dedicated to preparing pupils for their adult life and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to all our pupils.

Castle Hill High School is committed to actively promoting British values to ensure our pupils leave us fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

The government emphasises that all schools should ensure that they teach pupils about British values. We take every opportunity to promote the fundamental British values of:

Democracy
The rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Through the promotion of these values, our school aims to ensure pupils:

Understand the democratic process and how citizens can have a say in decision making.
Recognise the advantages of living under the rule of law and how law is essential for a safe society.
Know why freedom of religion protects all faiths, as well as those with no faith.
Accept that people who hold different religious beliefs should be tolerated and not discriminated against.
Value the importance of identifying and combatting extremism.

We promote British values both within and beyond the classroom and these values are at the heart of our ethos. Here are some of the ways our school seeks to embed the teaching of British values:

Democracy

Student Voice form times – we have a specific British Values topic.
Students are encouraged to have an input into what and how they learn to instil an understanding of democracy for their future.
Election of Senior Student and prefects to represent students’ views.
Informal voting on issues within form times and lessons.
There is explicit consideration of democracy within PSHCE lessons.
The principles of democracy are explored in the whole curriculum e.g. turn taking, sharing and collaboration, as well as during assemblies and special projects.
Our school development plan includes a Student Voice plan through which suggestions resulting from our student voice consultations are implemented.
We highlight key moments in the democracy of the nation by holding mock General Elections, a Brexit referendum.
We recognise and mark national events such as Remembrance Day.

The Rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies.
Through PSHCE lessons pupils 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.
Occasional visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
The school organises visits from authorities throughout the academic year in an effort to reinforce the reality and importance of this message eg. Police, Fire Service
The school's ethos promotes and encourages respect and helps students to distinguish right from wrong.
Our Behaviour & Relationships and Anti-Bullying policies set out a zero-tolerance baseline for any form of aggression, abuse or violence, which extends to students, staff and parent and carers. We raise awareness of bullying by being part of the National Anti-Bullying Week and Internet Safety Day.

Individual liberty

A safe and supportive environment is fostered throughout the school, where students are actively encouraged to make choices. Whether it is choosing a challenging task or an extra-curricular club, students have the freedom to base their choices on their interests.
Students are taught about their rights and personal freedoms and are encouraged and advised on how to exercise these safely, for instance through teaching on e-safety and PSHE lessons.
We pride ourselves on a school culture and ethos that builds respect, tolerance and resilience.
We have a robust anti-bullying culture (refer to Anti-Bullying Policy and Behaviour Policy)
Our school environment is one that promotes independence and individual communication. Our aim is to work towards students having full independence.
Staff work to promote students’ self-esteem and positive sense of self throughout the school day and in the wider community
From the Year 7 through to Sixth Form students are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and are supported to learn to make safe choices that enable them to grow as individuals and reach their own potential in all aspects of their learning
As students move up through the school, they are supported to understand their rights and personal freedoms and are given appropriate advice to enable them to make independent decisions.
Vulnerable students are supported to make appropriate decisions and staff ensure that adults supporting them are doing so with the students’ best interests.

Mutual respect

Respect forms a core pillar of the school’s ethos of ‘Respect & Achieve’. Students are treated with respect and learn to treat each other and all members of staff with respect. Our students know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, adults and children.
This is reinforced through the school’s Behaviour Policy.
Throughout the year, assemblies are held focussing on bullying, with reference to prejudice-based bullying, and discussion is encouraged.
School assemblies and form times address what respect means and how it is shown.
Displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our Behaviour Policy.
Both in and out of the classroom students are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other opinions, cultures and ways of life.
Staff and students are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour. All such incidents are recorded.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Through the PSHE and RE curriculums students are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school eg. a discussion of fasting during Ramadan.
Discussions about prejudices and prejudice-based bullying in form time.
Recognition and discussion of religious celebrations in lessons, form times and assemblies.
Links and visits are promoted with local faith communities and places of worship eg. in RE all students visit Didsbury mosque, Manchester Jewish Museum and a local church.

Our Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Duty Lead is Miss Natalie Brady

Policies

British Values Policy

Prevent Duty Policy