PROMOTING BRITISH VALUES AT THE HEREFORD ACADEMY

The Hereford Academy recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. 

The motto of the Academy is “Seek to do good to one another and to everyone”.  This is underpinned by the Academy values of Aspiration, Care, Trust, Resilience and Respect and reflects our belief that all students, regardless of background or ability, should be supported to achieve their God given potential and be equipped for life in modern Britain.

We understand the vital role the Academy plays in ensuring groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by anyone wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them. All staff receive annual WRAP training following the ‘Prevent Duty’ and Safeguarding training following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.

We follow equal opportunities guidance ensuring there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar.  The Hereford Academy is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined 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 Academy uses strategies within its curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students.   The examples that follow show some of the ways The Hereford Academy seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is reinforced at The Hereford Academy, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for Student Voice positions and House Captains.  The principle of democracy is also explored in the PSHE, History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in form time and assemblies. 

The rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the Academy, or the country, are consistently reinforced at The Hereford Academy. The Academy rules apply to everyone without exception as does the law of the land.

Students are taught the rules and expectations of the Academy. These are highlighted in pupil planners and posters publishing ground rules for classroom behaviour.  Students are taught the value and reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken through PSHE, History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in form time and assemblies. 

We have strong and effective partnerships with key agencies such as the police.  We have our own PCSO Safer Schools Officer and access to the Youth Engagement Team, who support us to educate our students regarding the rule of law. Students in Y11 can earn the privilege of being prefects and support Academy staff by enforcing the rules and acting as role models in our community.

Individual liberty

At The Hereford Academy, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment.  Staff at The Hereford Academy 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 and responsibly, for example through e-safety training, PSHE and form time.  Student Learning Officers are assigned to each year group and work with students, supporting them to make the right choices and seek additional intervention where necessary.

The Hereford Academy has a robust anti-bullying culture and a comprehensive Behaviour Policy.

Mutual Respect

Respect is an important value in The Hereford Academy and complements our core Christian values – Community, Trust, Endurance and Service.  Students learn their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others.  All members of the Academy community must treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments. 

Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by:

• Providing opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment,
• Developing effective communication skills,
• Showing respect with effective teamwork.

We value the contribution of all members of the community and take every opportunity to praise and show our appreciation of their valuable input through achievement evenings and award giving assemblies.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

We believe we are in a privileged position to equip our students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving opportunity to experience diversity within the Academy community and beyond through extra-curricular trips both nationally and internationally.  We welcome visitors and speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds and every year welcome students into the Academy who are new to the country.  All students are valued and supported to ensure a smooth transition into the Academy.  The Academy marks important festivals from across the world thereby improving our students’ global awareness.  The Religious Studies curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.