British Values and Collective Worship

  

John Taylor High School is committed to serving its diverse community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understand the vital role our school has in ensuring that groups or individuals within our community are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

British Values at JTHS 

John Taylor High School is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students. 

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. 

The four key British Values are: 

  1. Democracy
  2. The rule of law
  3. Individual liberty
  4. Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and belief

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 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 (including none) or beliefs to oneself 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 combating discrimination The Derby High School uses strategies within the national curriculum and beyond ensure positive outcomes for students. The examples that follow are intended to give you just a taste of the many ways in which we seek to instil British Values. 

Democracy 

Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems. 

In school we promote the importance of democracy through such things as: 

  • The free and fair election process for student positions of responsibility such as the Student Council 
  • Student Voice on key school decisions through processes including surveys, school council committees, student voice scrutiny 
  • Student leadership programmes such as ABC Committee, Sports Leaders, Mentors, Senior Student Leaders 
  • Strong adherence to our Equalities policy and objectives in line with the Equality Act 2010 

The Rule of Law 

All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. 

In school we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as: 

  • School code of conduct and behaviour and discipline policies 
  • Marking and feedback and homework policies set to clear boundaries, which are explained clearly to students and staff 
  • Accountability is stressed to all stakeholders including staff (Teacher’s Standards), students and parents (Home School Agreement) and Governors 

Individual Liberty 

Individual liberty suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside Government control. 

In school we promote the importance of individual liberty through such things as: 

  • A robust and clear anti-bullying culture and policy for all students and staff, which allows the opportunity for individual choices in a safe and supportive environment 
  • The wealth of extra-curricular activities and clubs available to all students 
  • Students offered choice for their future academic pathways as they move through the Key Stages 
  • Opportunities for freedom of speech and expression through mediums such as the school council, pupil voice etc. Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths (including none) and beliefs 

The proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated. 

In school we promote the importance of mutual respect and tolerance as an objective, and permissive attitude to those whose faith (including none) and beliefs may differ from one’s own. In school we promote the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through such things as: 

  • The JTHS Core Values 
  • Clear guidance on the impact of good behaviour in all facets of school life 
  • Learning culture promotes students to take responsibility for their actions and the implications of negative behaviour on others 
  • The promotion and enforcement of impeccable uniform and appearance for students and staff 
  • Wellbeing promotes mutual respect through the skills developed in assemblies / alternative timetable days/ the broad and balanced RSHE curriculum 
  • Assemblies, morning registration, RSHE lessons 
  • Christmas concert 
  • Hampers for the local residents on Palmer Close 
  • Commitment to support the Litchfield Food Bank 
  • Support of identified charities 
  • Religious Education curriculum taught to all students across key stages 3 and 4 
  • Eid cards and letters to our Muslim students 

Subject Coverage of The British Values

Please see the link below for details on how our subjects incorporate elements of British Values Education into lessons.

British Values at JTHS

Collective Worship

Academies in England must provide religious education and collective worship for all registered students and promote their spiritual, moral and cultural development.

At John Taylor High School we believe that collective worship has a crucial part to play in informing and opening up the minds of young people and to challenge some of the stereotypes that pervade society, but which are also often mis-communicated through the media. We also believe that ‘worship’ means to show worth or great regard to something. Collective worship is about the growth of the person, their character and social outlook. It is therefore central to our teaching and provision.

Any activities, such as assemblies, will have at their heart a moral purpose and emphasise our core values of kindness, respect, perseverance and integrity. The importance of British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect for, and tolerance of, those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith, are embedded in our education system.

Whilst collective worship will be of a broadly Christian character, the importance of all world faiths and different belief systems will be explored and explained (any content will serve to uphold the Equalities Act 2010). Collective worship will allow students to:

• Engage in our community

• Be reflective

• Explore the big questions of life and respond to national events

• Foster mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Collective worship at John Taylor High School will be seen through our morning registration themes of the week, weekly assemblies, celebration of festival days, acts of remembrance, charity events, community outreach and within our taught subject lessons. Additional information about our RE and RSHE provision can be found on the curriculum page of our website.