British Values

Global Citizenship

Global Citizenship
Ormiston Rivers Academy provides an inclusive, student-centred approach that offers
our young people a high-quality education and develops confident, well informed active
citizens who understand their responsibilities in serving their local community and to
play their part in being a global citizen.
The Department for Education has reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear
and rigorous expectation on all 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.”
Ormiston Rivers Academy is committed to serving its community and surrounding
areas. It recognises the multi-cultural, multifaith and ever-changing nature of the
United Kingdom, and therefore those it serves. It also understands the vital role it has in
ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation
or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
The school accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British
law, including pupils of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by its governing
body regarding equal opportunities, which guarantee that there will be no
discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender,
sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. It seeks to serve all.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British
Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British
values in the ‘Prevent Strategy’ – values of:

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
This also aligns with the academy’s obligations, under section 78 of the Education Act
(2002), as part of a broad and balanced curriculum to promote the spiritual, moral,
cultural and social (SMSC) developments of all students. The academy uses strategies
within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students.
The examples that follow give a flavour of the many ways we seek to embed British
Values throughout the academy. They should therefore be seen as an indication of our
approach rather than an exhaustive list.

Democracy is common within the school where the promotion of
democratic processes, fostering the concept and application of freedom of speech and
group action to address needs and concerns, are heard through our Student Leadership
Team, Student Council, Sports Captains, Student Voice and Prefects. Also, key to this
is the concept of holding others to account, including those in positions of authority
and influence.
Student Council is a fantastic opportunity for ORA students to have their say on topics
of importance. The initiative enables student’s perspectives to be heard and agreed
actions to be taken to improve learning, policies, programs and principles. At ORA, we
are privileged to have a Student Leadership Team that each focus on one of five key
areas including Community, Social Media, Environment, Equality and Diversity,
Wellbeing and Teaching and Learning. Each area is led by a one of our dedicated Sixth
Form Leaders. Democracy is promoted through the Student Leadership Team selection
process, where pupils are voted into positions on the Student Leadership Team based
on their personal pitches, and individual qualities.
ORA is proud to have one of our pupils on the OAT Regional Student Council panel,
having been voted in as Vice Chairman.
Our school behaviour policy also involves rewards, with students able to gain positive
merit points for exemplary work, effort and improvement in subjects and enrichment
activities.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class,
the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days,
as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are
taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the
responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits
from authorities such as the Police, Fire Service etc. are regular parts of our calendar
and help reinforce this message.


Young Citizens Magistrates Mock Trial Competition helps young people understand
how the law touches every aspect of their lives, enabling them to gain an insight into
how the legal justice system works. As part of our extra-curricular offer we are running
this competition with our Year 8 pupils, where they enjoy preparing legal arguments for
a specially written criminal case. Pupils take part in a local heat and go head-to-head
with other schools to prosecute and defend the case. Democracy and the Rule of Law
feature heavily in this project as students will develop their critical thinking skills, be
able to build arguments and boost their confidence, knowledge and understanding of
the law and the justice system in our society.

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices,
knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we educate
and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through the provision
of a safe environment and empowering PSHE education. Pupils are encouraged to
know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and ORA students
are aware of the importance of being able to have freedoms within society.


Mutual Respect and Individual Liberty are promoted through our Student Council by
enabling students to focus their efforts and views on areas of importance to fellow
students, in a safe and courteous environment, helping to bring about change.

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around
our core values Community, Ambition, Resilience, Respect and Excellence. These
ideas are reiterated through the school and classroom rules, as well as our behaviour
policy. Students are awarded ‘CARE cards’ by staff, recognising students’ positive
attitude to learning and care shown towards the school community. Additional support
is provided for individual pupils, through our Student Support Assistants and Wellbeing
Space. This support helps to develop self-esteem and to practise strategies pupils can
employ to help improve their respect for others.


Mutual respect is promoted through the students’ work towards improving equality and
diversity for all at our school; with key topics being focused on including LGBTQ+ rights,
Gender, Disabilities, Culture and Ethnicity and Race. Tolerance of those of different
faiths and beliefs is also promoted through the key topics. Assembly time is used to
explore respect and encourage tolerance of others, where we welcome visitors in to
speak to students. Students are taught about the Equalities Act 2010 and the
importance of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and this underpins our conversations
when talking to students about tolerance and respect.

This is achieved through
enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by
providing opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions
involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by
learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to
share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school. The school
does, through a wide range of activities, secure such standards and uses strategies
within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for children.
Please click below to see how British Values is taught throughout our curriculum.

 

Please click below to see how British Values is taught throughout our curriculum. 

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