British Values
We consider promoting British Values an important part of personal development which supports a strong community ethos.
Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form Centre is committed to serving its community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understand the vital role we have in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to pressurise, or illegally influence them.
Prep School
Within the Prep School, teachers and pupils demonstrate and promote the values in the following ways:
Rule of Law:
We display our school rules and expectations around school.
We understand the consequences of breaking laws and rules.
Each class has a 'zone' board which children understand the rules.
As a class we create our own class rules at the start of every year.
We understand that living under the rule of law protects us.
Democracy:
We vote for who represents each class on the School Council.
Together we decide which charities we would like to raise money for.
We look at how democracy works in Britain.
Individual Liberty:
Children are encouraged to make their own choices in school.
Children make choices about what to present in class assemblies.
Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
As a school we aim to develop children’s self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
Mutual Respect:
As a school we make all visitors feel welcome in our school.
We treat each other with respect.
We work together to help one another.
Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs:
We visit and learn about different places of worship from different faiths.
We promote diversity through celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
We welcome everybody into our school, and encourage them to share their knowledge with us.
Senior School
Within the Senior School we recognise, not only the importance of helping pupils to develop academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Holy Trinity School is committed to actively promoting British values to ensure our pupils leave us fully prepared for life in modern Britain. The current government considers that British values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The examples that follow show some of the many ways Holy Trinity School seeks to embed British values.
Democracy:
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Holy Trinity School, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, pupils are involved in voting for the Student Action Group representatives who in themselves are involved in key decisions around the school. The Student Action Group is very strong at Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form Centre and we feel that, by valuing and responding to the pupils, we demonstrate their democracy and freedom. The pupils feedback what was discussed, suggested and resolved, and this is then reported to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Pupils are equally involved in the interviewing process when new appointments are made in school. They also play a massive role in supporting charities, not only choosing the activities that they do to raise money, but also making decisions regarding where the money that has been raised goes.
The Head Students go through an annual process similar to party elections with a manifesto and speech which is observed by the whole of senior school and subsequent elections are held. The principle of democracy is also explored in form time as well as in Mentoring and Assemblies.
Departments include in suitable parts of the curriculum - as appropriate for the age of pupils - material on the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries e.g Year 7 1066 project.
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 Holy Trinity School.
Students are taught about the consequences of not abiding by rules and expectations both within school – through our Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form Behaviour Policy - showing clear consequences, and are also regularly taught and reminded about UK law on a range of different topics, including equality and e-safety. Throughout the year, we welcome a range of visitors from the Health Service, the Police, Theatre in Education and a range of speakers from local and national charities who reinforce this message.
The rule of law is explored through PSHE lessons in which students learn about law making and administration. It is also emphasised that all people are equal before the law. Pupils 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.
Individual Liberty:
Holy Trinity School aims to help each student achieve self-confidence, initiative and independence. Our pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Holy Trinity School educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. We have introduced peer mentoring across year groups with Sixth Form pupils encouraged to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues with Phase 2 and Phase 3 classes.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety assemblies, tutor time & Form Period (also known as PSHE). Holy Trinity School has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour Policy.
Mutual Respect:
Respect is a strong part of Holy Trinity School and is part of our values. Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environments. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment, within the PSHE curriculum, form time and Student Voice and Student Action Groups. The school has been involved in a high level of charity work for both local and large charities.
Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
This is achieved through equipping pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form Centre promotes EQUALITY and DIVERSITY and students are regularly reminded of school and UK policy as well as being given a vast array of opportunities to self–express. We invite in a range of outside speakers and draw from our multi-faith staff, to deliver assemblies and activities which promote tolerance and understanding.
Assemblies, RE, tutor time and form periods reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.