Fundamental British Values

At Emerson Park Academy we recognise the importance of developing students that flourish academically and are also prepared for their future in modern Britain. To ensure this we actively promote and develop British Values within our community. The government has defined modern British Values in the Prevent Strategy as: democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. These British values are embedded within all of our curriculum subjects and also in our extra-curricular activities. Additionally, these values are taught as part of Cultural Studies in Key Stage 3 and also form the basis of our Form Time Activities and assemblies.

The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of schools promoting fundamental British values.

•  an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
• an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;
• an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;
• an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;
• an acceptance that other 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; and
• an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools (DfE, 2014).