British Values
At The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College we recognise not only the importance of allowing students to flourish academically but we also embrace our wider role in preparing them for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum. Part of our role in that preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to our students.
British Values were first outlined by the government in its Prevent Strategy in 2011 and in November 2014 the Department for Education published its guidance on promoting British Values in schools to ensure that young people leave school prepared for life in Modern Britain. At The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College these values are reinforced in a pervasive manner and permeate the school community.
The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British Values at The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.
Democracy & The Rule of Law
At The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College the principle of democracy is consistently reinforced, with the democratic process being employed for important decisions within the school community and beyond, for instance the nomination and election of form captains, the position of Head girl / head boy and the prefect system. The principle of democracy is explored in History and Religious Studies as well as in pastoral time and assemblies. Students have also had the opportunity to take part in school Youth parliament elections.
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Students are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service are regular parts of our pastoral Programme and help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College students are actively encouraged to make independent choices knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely, for example through our exploration of E-Safety in computing and virtues.
Mutual Respect
Respect is at the core of our school ethos and the school behaviour. This is demonstrated and modelled through the promotion of respect between all students and staff within the school. The importance of mutual respect is also seen in the
extracurricular programme in school especially within the different disciplines of sport and inter house competitions.
In line with our commitment to democracy students are always able to voice their opinions and we foster an environment where students are safe to disagree with each other. The development of The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College Learning Curriculum across the school develops mutual respect throughout the curriculum providing guidance on the importance of respect and responsibility. The school council also provides the students with an arena where they can bring up and discuss any issues that may undermine the school ethos.
Tolerance
This is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. All students experience a structured approach to PSHE through our Virtues Programmes where global themes and cultures are explored. Citizenship sessions looking at diversity in their school and local community as well as their own identity as a citizen of England. Supporting these sessions and the school curriculum we also run numerous trips abroad throughout the academic year from which our students gain valuable experience of other cultures and languages. Furthermore, our Religious Studies curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions, and cultures.