British Values

We are also committed to challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to fundamental British values. Staff are aware that any issue of suspected danger of radicalisation or extremism should be dealt with in exactly the same way as any other Child Protection issue and they are aware of the Prevent Duty, as per the Safeguarding Policy and Keeping Children Safe in Education (2021). This forms an important part of Safeguarding training for all staff.

Through the Personal Development programme, students develop their knowledge and understanding of the Fundamental British values. Of the six Personal Development themes, of particular relevance to FBV are Relationships and Communities, Power and Politics and Human Rights.

As part of the Personal Development programme, students develop knowledge and understanding of topics including equality, respect and tolerance, anti-bullying, rights and responsibilities, discrimination and relationships and the law, in age-appropriate contexts.

Across the Personal Development programme, students gain an awareness of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. This gives students an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination. Assemblies provide a further opportunity for the promotion of fundamental values through the coverage of topics such as Black History Month, Remembrance and Holocaust Memorial Day which are supplemented by Enrichment opportunities involving external agencies such as Solutions Not Sides and the Anne Frank Trust. Belle Vue Girls' Academy holds a Bronze Diversity Award for demonstrating how we have established a strong commitment to Inclusion, Equality and Diversity.

Our student leadership and enrichment programmes encourage students to show initiative and to contribute positively to both the academy and wider society. We develop respect for democracy, and support for participation in the democratic process, through the content of our Personal Development programme which builds knowledge and understanding of the British parliamentary system.

Form Captains are elected by fellow members of their tutor group, which consolidates engagement in the democratic process, as do mechanisms for student voice, the student leadership structure and the Personal Development programme. There is a thriving Academy Congress (student council) composed of representatives from each year group. There are a range of other student leaders, for example Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Ambassadors, who ensure the development of mutual tolerance and respect through means such as student-led assemblies. The use of Votes For Schools, and similar stimuli for debate within the tutor-led sessions, enable students to discuss moral and ethical issues whilst also giving opportunities to argue and defend points of view. Discussion of topical issues is a key feature of the Personal Development programme and this further facilitates the development of skills which enable our students to engage in discussion in a climate of mutual respect and tolerance.

British values are also promoted across the curriculum and within all subject areas. Please see below for mapping documentation showing the coverage of British values across subject areas.

The focus on Character Education within Personal Development and the subject curriculum enables students to develop their self-knowledge and our rewards system builds self-esteem and confidence.