At Bedale High School, we value the diversity of the backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community and strongly believe in upholding MBV through all aspects of our school provision.
The Department of Education states that there is a need “To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of
- democracy,
- the rule of law,
- individual liberty, and
- mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.
Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We equip all students with the knowledge, skills and courage so they can grow into safe, compassionate, democratic, committed, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world and the wider world.
Having a clear understanding of MBV’s is something that we actively encourage at Bedale High School. We want all of our students to have a firm awareness of the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of making negative choices and we actively promote respect, tolerance and democracy throughout the academy.
We insist that respect is essential to be ‘excellent without exception’, and it is shown in every area of the school. At the school, we work extremely hard to ensure that respect is instilled into our students, and they recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of our wider school community, the United Kingdom and our global community. Students are provided with a safe space to explore the different values people hold and learn about different cultures and faiths. Students are given the time to explore ideas and develop a sense of identity about what views and values they hold.
Democracy is taught through variety of ways at Bedale High School whether it’s voting for Student Council representative or participating in the ‘Make Your Mark’ election for the regional Member of Youth Parliament. We aim to give all students a clear understanding of how they as citizens in our school and in their local community, can bring about influence through a democratic process.
Preventing Radicalisation & Extremism
Terms and definitions:
- Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
- Ideology – a set of beliefs.
- Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism.
At Bedale High School, we aim to build students’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting Modern British Values and enabling them to challenge extremist views. Students are given a safe space in which they and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments.
Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming involved with extreme and terrorist actions or supporting terrorists or extremist views. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism including extreme right-wing violent groups.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC) at Bedale High School
Parents, carers, professionals and students at Bedale High School will all agree that education is about more than academic results. At the school, we aim to develop not only successful learners but responsible citizens and effective participants with firm foundations in social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness.
On a practical level, our commitment to SMSC development requires planned opportunities for our young people to:
- Reflect about beliefs, values and more profound aspects of human experience, enabling them to develop curiosity in their learning, and as thoughtful, responsible individuals
- Develop and apply an understanding of right and wrong in their school life and life outside school
- Take part in a range of activities requiring social skills
- Develop awareness of and respect for diversity in relation to, for example, gender, race, religion and belief, culture, sexual orientation and disability
- Gain a well-informed understanding of the options and challenges facing them as they move through the school and on to the next stage of their education and training
- Develop an appreciation of theatre, music, art and literature
- Develop the skills and attitudes to enable them to participate fully and positively in democratic modern Britain
Students will actively learn about the importance of inclusiveness and diversity with regards to the LGBTQ+ community, examples of activism and religious differences in the UK and around the world. Only by doing this will our young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
Therefore, all students are provided with opportunities to develop:
- An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
- An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
- An acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
- An understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.
MBV and SMSC: our integrated approach
Opportunities to explore and engage with modern British values MBV) and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC) are built into the curriculum for all year groups at Bedale High School; this document provides an overview of this integrated approach.