British Values

At Greenwood School we feel it is important to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance as they will help the development of our students. The values are taught through a broad curriculum both in and outside the classroom supplemented by extra-curricular activities.

Democracy

Greenwood School provides all students with the opportunity to participate in a range of experiences that facilitate a practical understanding of democracy. These include: –

Student Elections, which coincide with General Elections or Referendums to give our students a voice regarding their futures.
Student liaison with keyworkers to develop learning targets for set time periods personalised for each student from SEMH questionnaires.
Student Voice, whereby students are encouraged to share their views regarding all aspects of the learning environment (e.g. tutorials, lessons, trips, enrichment activities and teaching methodologies).
Enrichment activities, which are provided in response to student votes each term (Covid-19 compliant or they are postponed).
SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) education, which is provided mainly through the SEAL, PSHE and Life Skills lessons each week, includes the British Electoral System functions.
Parent Voice, where parents are encouraged to share their views about a variety of issues within the school (e.g. policies, well-being, behaviour, trips).
Staff Voice, where every week staff are consulted about an issue important to school development or well-being.

The Rule of Law

The importance and relevance of rules are constantly reinforced in all aspects of our students’ schooling. Respect for British law, particularly pertaining to personal conduct within our country is promoted using a range of modalities. These include but are not limited to:

The signing of a learning agreement during induction, promoting reading, understanding and adherence to a set of values that have a positive impact on the individual and their peers.

SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) education, which is provided mainly through the SEAL, PSHE and Life Skills lessons each week, includes the study of British Law.

Guest speakers (e.g. Police, St Giles Trust) are invited to provide sessions on civil and criminal law, and exploitation for students to discuss and debate their views.
Codes of conduct are displayed in classrooms and convey Greenwoods positive ethos regarding personal conduct and respecting equal rights and responsibilities.
Weekly assemblies (Covid-19 restrictions) help to develop student understanding of the law appropriate to their development stage.
Students who demonstrate that they are following the Greenwood Way are rewarded and recognised for making positive choices.
Students who make poor choices are given time and space to reflect on their decisions so they can restore relationships and be successful.

Individual Liberty

Child Protection and Safeguarding is at the heart of Greenwood School’s provision. Students are assured of a safe and supportive learning environment where they are empowered, through the development of decision making skills, to make choices in a safe environment. Rights and freedoms coherent with a democratic society are reinforced and encouraged. Examples include but are not limited to:

Periodic e-safety training through the ICT curriculum and PDL provision.
SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) which is provided mainly through the SEAL, PSHE and Life Skills lessons each week, facilitating targeted delivery of discussion, debates and activities that promote the importance of individual liberty and how individuals can express their individual rights and freedoms in a positive, ethical and legal manner.
Careers guidance interviews are provided for all Year 10 and 11 students, providing them with access to Greenwood School’s Careers Education and Guidance Coordinator and an independent professional Careers Advisor. These sessions give students the information, skills and confidence necessary to make their own choices regarding post-16 education, training or employment.
Parents and carers are encouraged to actively participate in the provision of careers advice and guidance to their child (through direct contact with the school’s Careers and Guidance Coordinator and / or by attending student interviews with a professional Careers Advisor).
Students and their parents / carers are informed of open evenings organised by providers of further education and training within the region.
Guest speakers from various occupational areas, further education and providers of apprenticeships and training visit the school to inform students of post-16 choices, enabling informed decision-making. They may also be involved in Mock Interviews which are offered to Year 11’s to help them secure college places or a job.
Student Voice meetings enable students to express their rights with liberty and freedom of speech, through developing and submitting proposals for changes of policy and practices within the school, with all decisions shared and justified during weekly school assemblies.
Students are also able to contribute to charities either through fund raising or enterprise activities within SEAL and PSHE lessons.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths

Greenwood School welcomes staff and students from all faiths and beliefs. Promotion of tolerance and respect for people from all walks of life is enabled through a wide range learning opportunities, including directed learning and social education. Examples include but are not limited to:

Visits from guest speakers of different faiths and religions, facilitating an open forum for discussion and subsequent development of understanding, tolerance and respect.
SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) which is provided mainly through the SEAL, PSHE and Life Skills lessons each week, facilitating targeted delivery of discussion, debates and activities that promote the importance of developing mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths (e.g. ensuring students are able to differentiate between practices that integrate with British Values and those that do not).
The school’s behaviour policy promotes positive values and opposes any form of implied or active racism, discrimination or prejudice (e.g. based on beliefs, religion, culture, appearance, sexuality, gender reassignment, disability, special considerations or socio-economic circumstances).
Any form of bullying or harassment is swiftly addressed using the sanctions summarised in the behaviour management policy, with rectification being sought through positive actions and subsequent discussion to ensure full understanding of right and wrong
Any extremist views are challenged where deemed contradictory to fundamental British Values. This includes the views of all staff, students, parents, carers and contractors.
The behaviour management policy is upheld by all staff at all times when engaged with school responsibilities.
School assemblies (Covid-19 restrictions) are held on a weekly basis and are used to reinforce positive behaviour that is compliant with British Values.
Respect for others is a core value and is manifest throughout all aspects of student learning.