British Values at The Grange Academy

Schools have a duty to teach British Values including Democracy, the Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and tolerance of those of other faiths and beliefs. Teachers are required in the conduct section of their Standards, to uphold public trust in the profession by not undermining fundamental British Values. We expect all staff to model and teach these values. Our Equality Policy makes clear our intention to provide the best education we can for all of our students regardless of race, faith, gender, age and sexual orientation.

Our Community is key– we are all privileged to belong to the same community which is built on mutual respect, tolerance and understanding and reflected in the school values within ‘ASPIRE’.

Democracy

Students, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at The Grange Academy. Democracy is central to how we operate. Some examples of democratic practice are:

Prefects, Primary Parliament & Student Leadership Team

The election of the Year 11 Prefects and Primary Parliament mirrors the British electoral system and demonstrates democracy in action. These cross-phase student leadership opportunities give students the opportunity to positively contribute towards the school and support their peers in areas such as wellbeing, respect, community, the environment and teaching & learning.

School Community Voice

Reflection from students, staff, parents/carers and the wider school community are regularly sought through a range of systems including questionnaires, evaluations and student interviews. Our Parent Forum liaise with senior leaders and have been actively involved in supporting events and sharing their views of how the school can improve further.

The Rule of Law

The importance of rules, laws and standards, whether they are those that govern our country or school are frequently referred to across the school and reinforced in assemblies, form time and when necessary, to reflect on appropriate choices.

Some examples of the rule of law in practice are:

• Across all subjects we model and teach the necessity for rules and guidelines.
• At the start of each half term Mr Critchley delivers an assembly which allows students to reflect on expected standards and school values.
• Our SMSC & RSHE curriculum allows for particular laws to be explored and debated.
• Our REPS behaviour commitments help to ensure that every class member is able to learn and contribute in a safe, respectful environment.

Clear systems of rewards and sanctions

The school rewards students regularly for their hard work, contributions to the school and for demonstrating our ASPIRE values and REPS behaviour commitments in all that they do.

In Primary, students receive regular contact with parents/carers regarding their personal and academic achievements along with certificates, raffle tickets and postcards home. In addition to this, through our THASP work, students are actively encouraged to recognise the achievements of peers and can place them ‘In the Spotlight’, receiving recognition in assemblies. All students are aiming to be ‘Super Selfers’ and acknowledgment is given to those who support others and overcome obstacles.

In Secondary, students who have been recognised for demonstrating our values are rewarded with positive phone calls home, postcards home, raffle tickets and they can be placed on our Wonder Walls. In addition to this, a ‘Class of the Week’ is chosen, based on nominations from staff and celebrated in our weekly Pastoral newsletters.

Our ‘Waved’ behaviour system is utilised to manage negative behaviours and attitudes to learning, when necessary and focuses on supporting students in improving behaviour.

SMSC, Form Times & Assemblies

SMSC and assemblies across both phases, along with form times in secondary are utilised for students to develop an understanding of Community, Values and Law. Important messages are communicated about success, support and all aspects of the values within ASPIRE, with weekly foci for students to explore. Healthy debate is encouraged and students are taught the value and reasons behind the laws that govern and protect us and how upholding these laws links to our personal wellbeing

Individual Liberty

Students are taught that with rights, come responsibilities. We educate our students to make informed choices based on the evaluation of facts. Some examples of individual liberty in practice are:

Internet and Social Media

All students and staff have been taught the risks attached to using the internet and how they can keep themselves and others safe. This education is on-going and revisited regularly, including advice and guidance given to parents/carers to ensure that all stakeholders are fully aware of the potential risks and dangers of using the internet. All staff and students sign a contract to adhere to the Acceptable Usage Policy for our school.

Tailored curriculum and provision that aims to meet their needs and aspirations

Through our broad and balanced curriculum, enrichment and extra-curricular offering and our careers programme, students are offered a wide range of activities which support them to identify and develop their passions, abilities and entrepreneurship, thinking not only about the present, but also their next steps as they progress in their education.

Student Leadership Team (All Through)

Students are encouraged to be part of a range of Student Leadership opportunities which currently include Prefects, Primary Parliament, Teaching & Learning Team, Pride & Respect Team, Environment Team, Hospitality & Community Team and other subject-specific leadership roles. Students have the chance to be good role models across the school as well as developing leadership and support skills. We continually look to develop more opportunities for students to adopt leadership roles, allowing them to contribute to the school community.

Mutual Respect

The idea of respect features heavily in our ethos, values and behaviour commitments as a school. Developing students’ abilities to be not only tolerant, but also accepting of all others is key. Mutual Respect plays a vital role in this and is taught and explored across the curriculum, explicitly in SMSC lessons, assemblies, during form time activities and across a range of subjects such as History, English, Music and Drama. We work with students to develop their Cultural Capital and to establish a strong knowledge of life beyond Runcorn, with an understanding of what that means in terms of encountering people with different views, beliefs and lifestyles to what they may be used to. We take regular opportunities to link this to real-world and current events that are relevant to our students and that help them to create links between their own ideals, behaviours and thoughts.