The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2014. In addition, guidance was published by the DfE in November 2014 and states that as part of SMSC provision schools should:

Through their provision of SMSC, schools should:

• enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
• enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
• further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
• encourage respect for other people; and
• encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

The guidance also gives specific examples of the understanding and knowledge that is expected of students.

• 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.

The Academy supports and delivers a firm commitment to developing and upholding British Values.

Democracy

Students are taught in a variety of ways including tutor time, assemblies and in subject specific content about the importance of democracy. We provide opportunities to be involved in democracy in action for example through the election of our Head Girl and Head Boy; Bedford Borough Youth Cabinet elections and the election of representatives for Learning Village Councils. Students have had opportunities to be involved in debating the importance of democracy through the 6th form debating enrichments.

Our students are actively involved in the interviewing process when new appointments are made in school. They play a big role in supporting charities, not only choosing the activities that they do to raise the money, but also making decisions regarding where the money raised goes.

The Rule of Law

The importance of Laws whether they govern the class, the Academy or the country are consistently reinforced throughout all aspects of academy life. Students and parents are taught the value and reasons behind our rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. We have talks from the Community Police Office team to students on the rule of law. A yearly highlight is the ‘Prison? Me?No Way!’ for year 7 focusing on developing students’ understanding of the law. The school participates in the annual Bar Mock Trial Competition run by the Citizenship Foundation.

Promotion of the concept of ‘fair play’, following and developing rules, celebrating and rewarding success, accepting defeat and participating in activities that promote co-operation with others and inclusion for all, form an integral part of the curriculum, particularly in subjects such as PE.

Individual Liberty

Students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. We educate and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, through provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and tutor sessions. Whether it is through choice of tasks in lessons, of participation in our enrichment programme or the selection of their Learning Village charity, students are given the freedom to make choices. We are a Stonewall Champion school and hold the Equalities Award.

Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Respect, openness and honesty are part of our core values. This can be seen and felt in our pervading ethos in school. The students know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have.

Bedford Academy is situated in an area which is greatly culturally diverse and we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the student and staff body. Over 40 languages are spoken at our Academy and as such students experience diversity on a day to day basis. Our RE, PCD (Personal Cultural Development), assemblies and tutor teaching reinforce this. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes.

A cross-curricular approach

We deliver a cross curricular approach to the delivery of SMSC, including British Values

• via current affairs – discussion sessions in tutor time centred on a topic in the news such as Extremism
• via assemblies – on a theme that links to British Values, for example, Human Rights and Freedom
• via PCD (Personal Cultural Development) lessons
• via student leadership – actively voting in academy elections to elect posts of responsibility
• via Religious Education – predominantly Christian but exploring beliefs and values of other faiths including multicultural celebrations.
• In subjects where we map how other subjects deliver knowledge and understanding of key concepts that link to British Values.