At Alt Bridge School we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community.
The Department for Education states that there is a need:
“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.
The Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
Support for equality of opportunity for all
Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs
Our school values of care, courtesy, resilience and determination reflect those of British values. The promotion and celebration of these values support pupils to grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world.
We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
We take a global approach to learning by introducing themes from the perspective of people and cultures from other countries.
At Alt Bridge, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
DEMOCRACY
Children have the opportunity to have their voices heard through pupil surveys and student council drop down days. Suggestions have been acted on for example improvements to the canteen and outdoor equipment.
Suggestions made to the student council are shared in Year Group Assemblies.
Pupils have the opportunity to stand and vote for representation on the Knowsley Youth Parliament.
The Knowsley pupil engagement officer is a regular visitor into School to speak to pupils about living as a young person in Knowsley, feedback helps to plan future Council initiatives
Pupils make recommendations for kindness awards and adult of the week awards
The principle of democracy is explored in the curriculum in PSHCE Citizenship for example the role of MP`s , voting and the making of Laws.
The Thriving Curriculum Leader presents a whole School assemblies on “British Values.”
Students have attended the Hearts of Gold Citizenship workshop at The Shakespeare North Theatre to explore themes of democracy through Shakespeare`s texts and links to the modern day through the plight of refugees and rights.
Our Local MP Sir George Howarth visits School and has hosted a Question and Answer session with pupils.
RULE OF LAW
Pupils follow the Schools key expectations to attend and participate, be kind, ready to learn, communicate respectfully and stay safe .These expectations are regularly promoted in form tutor time and in assemblies.
Pupils earn Head Teacher awards for following the Schools Core values in Heads of Year Assemblies and at end of term award assemblies.
Pupils are helped to distinguish right from wrong around School with the support from Staff.
Pupils earn Epraise merits/ rewards for following Schools key expectations
In History pupils learn the democratic values learnt from past events such as the Magna Carta in 1215. In PSHCE pupils learn about their rights and responsibilities of being a citizen for example pupils learn about the laws on consent, joint enterprise and exploitation, drugs and alcohol, extremism and FGM. In RE pupils look at Religious Laws such as the Ten Commandments and the Five Pillars of Islam.
Pupils are encouraged to respect the law. This is reinforced by PC Hubbard from Merseyside Police who regularly visits to support events and host assemblies.
Visiting Theatre Group The Perception Theatre Group perform plays on the consequences of Knife Crime and the dangers of child criminal and sexual exploitation. An important aspect of this is to empower pupils to recognise danger, stay safe and seek support.
Recent Intervention work from the Merseyside Youth Association has supported pupils to understand terms such consent and negotiate relationships.
Getawayandstay safe have hosted a week of workshops on criminal exploitation, county lines and joint enterprise to pupils identified at risk.
Rights are reminded prominently around the School on School core values and School expectations display board.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
A strong anti-bullying culture is embedded in the school and any form of bullying is challenged and addressed. The school also operates a robust system of logging / following up incidents.
Heads of Year, Form tutors, Teaching assistants and wellbeing hub learning mentors
Reinforce the importance of making the right choices and support pupils
Pupils are actively encouraged, and given the freedom to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. E.g. by signing up for extra-curricular clubs or taking part in residential, volunteer to be a representative for the School council or equali tea group.
Pupils are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle this includes work on diet and exercise and health and hygiene in PSHCE, the benefits of staying active in PE and the limiting social media use in ICT.
Pupils have the opportunity to join the Pupil Equali tea group and help to organise the many events held through the year such as the Pride March, Black History Month , World Human Rights day.
Pupils are encouraged to manage their behaviour by using self-regulate techniques with the Zones of regulation. Regular drop down sessions and personalised pupil plans support this.
World Human rights day is celebrated with a pupil presented assembly.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety teaching.
In History pupils look at moral dilemmas such as abortion and euthanasia, they are encouraged to consider different viewpoints and develop critical thinking and questioning skills.
A rigorous Careers programme support pupils to challenge themselves and make positive choices about their future. This includes one to one careers advice, careers fairs, visits to colleges, speakers into school, drop down careers days and transition link parents meetings.
Philosophy for Schools used in lessons encourage pupils to critically reflect on the world around them and think about the bigger picture.
The Enrichment Passports leading to the Enrichment Graduation ceremonies recognise progress in personal development, encouraging pupils to change themselves and make positive choices.
MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE OF THOSE WITH DIFFERENT FAITHS AND BELIEFS
Care and courtesy are core values of our school. Pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone, staff, pupils and visitors into School.
Pupils are helped to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life through the Curriculum especially in Religious Studies, Geography and Modern Foreign Languages. In History pupils learn about the Holocaust.
In Music and Art pupils gain an appreciation of art forms from different cultures for example aboriginal artwork.
Staff and pupils work closely with the community group SHARE who support refugees in the local area. Our School has hosted a fundraising football competition with refugees taking part. SHARE have also invited pupils and staff to a BBQ and SHARE have presented an assembly to pupils.
There is an inclusion and wellbeing section in the library that includes books on people from other cultures that pupils are encouraged to access.
We support many charities including the Zero food waste project, the UNICEF outright campaign, Children in Need , Shelter and the NSPCC.
We have a cultural link with the Jharpna School in Bangladesh with a pen pal scheme and cultural exchange
We have hosted a Show racism the red card workshop for all pupils that supports pupils to see through stereotypes and challenge discrimination.
Staff and pupils are encouraged to challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour. Merseyside Youth Association have supported pupils to use appropriate language to others.
Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class.
Through the PSHE and RE curriculums pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect differences between people such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality and differences of family situations.
We offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected this included visits to Religious buildings such as Liverpool Synagogue and the Al Rahma Mosque.
Global dimension work is embedded though work in Modern Foreign Language, History and Geography for example pupils have taken part on the World reimagined project from Liverpool Museum.
