Promoting British Values

British Values Statement

The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values more actively from September 2014, and to ensure they are taught in schools.

Westcroft School and Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre are committed to serving its community.  They recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom.  They also understand the vital role they have in ensuring that groups or individuals within the schools are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. The schools are dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that they promote and reinforce British values to all their students.

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

The five key British Values are:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The schools use strategies within the curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways the schools seek to instill British Values.

Democracy
Westcroft Individuals are valued and respected by all. Every class has a school council representative who has been voted in. The school council meet regularly to discuss issues raised with each class. The school council is listened to by staff and able to effect change. Focused work, where appropriate during PSHE lessons engages children in considering what it means to be British and that being British is about living alongside others in a multi-cultural community. All pupils complete “Pupils Views” that is used to inform their EHC Plan. This process enables pupils to share their views about school. There is a shared understanding of what is politeness and good behaviour and this is expectation is promoted at all times   WVTC All students in their tutor groups voted for their school council representative. The council discussed revising and updating extended day activities, new sports facilities for our outdoor area and extending the range of residentials that are offered at the Centre. The students are given opportunities and encouraged to discuss current affairs/news items in their tutor times each morning. As part of their EHCP annual review all students take an active role in the review to ensure they are making positive and informed choices for their life beyond the centre.    
The rule of law
Westcroft The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Westcroft School. Where appropriate class rules are agreed and displayed in classrooms. At Westcroft pupils are taught the rights of all pupils at the school.  They are also taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken. For the youngest pupils in school this may be through topics/themes such as ‘People Who Help Us’.     WVTC – all students sign a code of conduct at the start of each academic year that explain the rewards and consequences at the centre. These are regularly reinforced through tutor times and end of term reward assemblies. The centre operates an incentive based reward system that rewards positive attitudes, effort, behaviour and attendance. Health and Safety legislation is embedded throughout the vocational curriculums ensuring students not only understand the laws for their areas but also adhere to them at all times. E-safety is discussed regularly with the students and the centre has effective computer filters that ensure inappropriate content is not accessed on our computers. Teachers/Instructors also have software called Imperio that allows them to monitor at any times what students are accessing.    
Individual liberty
Westcroft At Westcroft School Individuality is embraced. 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 people to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through E-Safety and PSHE work. Westcroft promotes an anti-bullying culture and policies relating to behaviour and E-safety are in place.     WVTC – students make individual choices for healthy eating, extended day and residentials. Students understand how to inform staff if they feel they are being bullied through small sized tutor groups and opportunities for individual mentoring sessions.  All students have personalised timetables which they have chosen reflecting their aims for employment once they leave the centre. They take a leading part in their EHCP Annual Reviews and know that their voice can be heard. The school council also gives them opportunities to put forward ideas to enhance student life at the centre.          
Mutual respect
Westcroft Mutual respect is integral to provision at Westcroft. Children are encouraged to understand that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.  All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Activities like circle time and news time encourage pupils to listen and respect the views of others. For some pupils ILP targets may reflect and reinforce the need for respect. Assemblies and tutor time also promote mutual respect and are used to celebrate achievement.     WVTC – as part of the code of conduct students understand that showing respect towards others and their environment is one of the key requirements of studying at the centre. They are regularly reminded through tutor groups, individual reward cards and reward assemblies that these expectations will be celebrated and rewarded. Y14 students who are on the supported internship are encouraged to share their experiences of life at the centre and at work to help and encourage younger students.  
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Westcroft Pupils learn about other faiths and beliefs through RE and we have celebration assemblies, lunch menus and a creative curriculum that expose pupils to a wide range of multi-cultural and multi-faith enrichment opportunities.     WVTC – through visits, WEX placements, community projects and residentials students are exposed to a multicultural society and the expectations of behaving appropriately in that society. They know the consequences of racist behaviour. The school canteen offers a range of celebratory meals throughout the year reflecting the cultural diversity of the city/country i.e. Diwali, Christmas, Chinese New Year. WVTC Catering students catered an event for all students and staff at the centre to celebrate Black History Month. Posters were displayed around the centre giving local, national and international information about important people and critical moments in the lives of black people.