British Values
British Values in an International Setting
Anglo European School is committed to serving its local, catchment and international community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom and, indeed, its own school community which is a microcosm of this.
It also understands the vital role it has 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.
It follows and supports equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political identity or economic status. Anglo European School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal school curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.
The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The school uses strategies within the National curriculum, the Citizenship Curriculum and the full range of subjects to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways The Anglo European School and Sixth Form seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is taught through political education explicitly through Citizenship, RS, History, A level Politics, IB International Politics and is consistently being reinforced through democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for Head Boy and Girl and Prefect positions, and nominations for Student Voice and Student Council members, our Model UN Day as well as through assembly where we look at events which were influenced by democracy or a lack of it and what we can learn from this.
The rule of law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Anglo European School.
Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the Anglo Code of Conduct and student expectations. Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service, PrisonMeNoWay reinforce this message.
Individual liberty
At Anglo European School, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through Citizenship, e-safety, PSHE lessons and tutor time discussion and debate.
Anglo European has a robust anti-bullying culture, a comprehensive Student Behaviour Policy and robust Safeguarding Procedures.
Mutual respect
Respect is a strong foundation for the Mission Statement & Values.
“The Anglo European School seeks to develop ambitious, resilient and principled young people who recognise their common humanity and who seek to create a better and more peaceful society through inter-cultural understanding and respect. We encourage our students to become active citizens who are internationally-minded, lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”
Students learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. The importance of treating each other with respect, appreciating each other’s native language, culture and heritage is fundamental to our school community and embedded in second of our aims:-
“Interkulturell”: To develop in students a respect for their own culture and the culture of others whilst celebrating the rich diversity of languages, values and traditions.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment, appreciating that.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
L’Avenir:
This is achieved though equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse, global community and British society and by giving the opportunities to experience, celebrate and appreciate such diversity within the school community and beyond through the taught curriculum and the extensive visits and exchanges programme. Our third aim is:-
“To provide students with the linguistic, creative and social skills to move confidently beyond the boundaries of their own communities as they prepare for the next stage in their lives.”
Students benefit from an integrated international curriculum; each subject carefully considers how the international ethos and philosophy is taught in their discipline and considers a wide diversity of texts, writers, content and perspectives which aim to reflect and be representative of our school community. Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year such as International Day when the whole school community is encouraged to wear their national dress or something that reflects their culture and heritage. They share food, literature, music, dance and personal experience in a day of vibrant celebration. The Religious Studies and Citizenship curriculum, which is compulsory throughout the school in all Key Stages, also provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
Anglo European School is relentless in providing an education which empowers our students with a voice where they are proud to express themselves, proud of their culture, their heritage and languages, and enables them progress confidently along their chosen pathways, confident in their ability to express themselves confidently beyond the boundaries of their own communities, whilst appreciating and valuing the ethos and values of their home environment.