British values

Schools are now expected to focus on, and be able to show how we work with students to effectively embed fundamental British values into learning. The government set out their definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy which was reinforced in September 2014. These new regulations sit alongside the requirements of the Equalities Act, which also apply to all schools.

The Government has recently encouraged 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.’

At Easington Academy these values form part of the school ethos. They are embedded throughout our curriculum both within citizenship, RE, history and sociology lessons. Assemblies are also an important vehicle in promoting British values throughout the school. There are also carousels for Key Stage 3 students on a variety of Citizenship issues.

Democracy

Democracy is deeply embedded within the school. Students have many opportunities to voice their opinions. Democracy is also taught in the Key Stage 4 RE and citizenship GCSE programmes. This encourages the students to discuss key issues including the reasons why voting is important, devolution, referenda and making laws.

The rule of law

The importance of rules and laws is consistently reinforced throughout the school day, be these the schools or those on a national level. Rights and responsibilities of the individual are covered through the GCSE RE and citizenship programmes. Students understand the consequences of breaking the rules/laws. This is reinforced in the school through the behaviour policy, which is shared with the students in their planner.

Individual liberty

Within school, students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe, supportive environment. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety lessons and assemblies. Students are also encouraged to make informed choices regarding extra-curricular clubs, activities week and selecting GCSE courses at the end of Year 8.

Mutual respect

Easington Academy is an inclusive school. We believe that all students are valued and that second best is not good enough for our students. Respect in lessons is highly valued and reinforced through our school expectations, routines and behaviour policy. The need for respect is discussed in school assemblies and through our ‘thought for the day,’

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Easington Academy embraces diversity and enhances student’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs. RE and #WorldReady lessons at Key Stages 3 and 4 focus on the importance of identity and diversity and the benefits this brings to society. RE lessons examine prejudice-based bullying and the RE curriculum supports student understanding of the value of different faiths. Students have had the opportunity to visit Rome, Holy Island and places of worship in the last two years.

Information about PREVENT

All schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent duty.

To satisfy our Prevent duty we have put in place the following across our school:

Promotion of British Values
Staff training which has included online courses as well as frequent discussions in staff briefings
IT policies in place to prevent access to inappropriate material in school
A broad and balanced curriculum that creates opportunities for debating issues connected to extremism
A risk assessment which outlines perceived risks and how we guard against them
Partnership with Durham Local Authority Safeguarding Board to ensure our procedures are consistent with child protection policies

What to do if you have a concern if you are a student

If you are worried that you or one of your friends is at risk of being radicalised (radicalisation means people having increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals), you need to speak to your teachers immediately. This could be other students having conversations with groups or individuals connected to extremism or looking at extremist materials on the internet. It could also be students having conversations around school that make you feel worried that they could be drawn into dangerous situations or that their ideas are shifting away from what is normal.

What to do if you have a concern if you are a member of staff, a parent or a member of the public

If a member of staff in a school has a concern about a particular student they should follow the school’s normal safeguarding procedures, including discussing with the school’s designated safeguarding lead, and where deemed necessary, with children’s social care.

You can also contact your local police force or dial 101 (the non-emergency number). They can talk to you in confidence about your concerns and help you gain access to support and advice.

The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to enable staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly.

Concerns can also be raised by email to [email protected]. Please note that the helpline is not intended for use in emergency situations, such as a child being at immediate risk of harm or a security incident, in which case the normal emergency procedures should be followed.