British Values & Ethos

The fundamentals

Students at all key stages at Maidenhill receive dedicated lessons on fundamental British Vales through our L4L, Ethics and Philosophy and Humanities curriculum. Through this study students are taught and encouraged to explore the themes of Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance.

Mission Statement

Maidenhill School fully promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and no faith, within the school environment and reinforces these same key values within its local community.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is constantly and consistently being reinforced at Maidenhill School with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the curriculum and the school community.

The Rule of Law

The importance, historical significance and evolving nature of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country are explored and reinforced at Maidenhill School.

Maidenhill School maintains comprehensive policies guiding behaviour standards, including a robust anti-bullying culture.

Individual Liberty

At Maidenhill School, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment.  Staff at Maidenhill School 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.

Mutual Respect

Respect is integral part of Maidenhill School.  Students learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others.  All members of the school community treat each other with equality and respect which is reiterated through its learning and social environments.

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Maidenhill School works to equip 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.  Students are encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate religious occasions throughout the calendar year.  Maidenhill School believes these experiences compliment the curriculum to provide a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.

Maidenhill School strives to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and to make a successful contribution to our society.

Maidenhill’s ethos

Maidenhill’s ethos is to be a welcoming school where everyone is valued highly and where tolerance, honesty, co-operation and mutual respect for others are fostered. We are committed to the development of the whole person within a supportive, secure and creative environment. A broad, balanced and appropriate curriculum provides equal opportunity for all students to maximise their potential regardless of age, gender, race, colour, religion, belief, sexual orientation or disability. We endeavour to promote positive relationships with parents, carers, governors and members of the wider community.Our school aims to meet its obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard to the need to:

·         Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010

·         Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

·         Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

·         Promote fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths or no faith

2.  Legislation and guidance
This document meets the requirements under the following legislation:

·         The Equality Act 2010, which introduced the public sector equality duty and protects people from discrimination

·         The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011, which require schools to publish information to demonstrate how they are complying with the public sector equality duty and to publish equality objectives

This document is also based on Department for Education (DfE) guidance: The Equality Act 2010 and schools.