The Department for Education has published guidance to schools on promoting British values to prepare young people for life in modern Britain. At Pleckgate we take this responsibility very seriously and we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
These concepts are woven intrinsically throughout our curriculum and are explored in all subjects. In Religious Education and tutor time, in particular, where pupils can deepen their understanding. We make great efforts to ensure our children are exposed to a wide range of experiences beyond their own community.
We do this through school visits in Manchester, London and abroad. This enables children to embrace differences and celebrate commonality between peoples alongside developing a pride in Britishness and a sense of belonging to our nation.
Democracy
‘Democracy and Freedom are dreams you never give up’. Aung San Suu Kyi
At Pleckgate we listen to the views of pupils and we do this through a variety of means including: pupil voice surveys, a thriving school council elected by pupils and staff, a strong element of teamwork and debating where pupils are encouraged to express clearly their view point and listen to the views of others respectfully and pupils take the initiative and lead in aspects of the school such as charitable appeals and fund raising.
Democracy is further enhanced throughout curriculum subjects for example as in:
- Drama: pupils negotiate roles and responsibilities where group decisions allow for democracy and decision making
- English: pupils during the “school in crisis” unit make decisions in a democratic fashion
- PE: pupils work in teams through co-operation to nominate leaders via democracy
The rule of law
‘True freedom requires the rule of law and justice, and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of rights to others’. Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks
Pleckgate has ‘school rules’ which promote the well-being of the individual and the school as a whole. Each class reinforces those rules and they are a central part of the school ethos. They include high standards of uniform, good punctuality to school and lessons and respect. The school has a positive behaviour policy that sets out rewards and sanctions. We encourage pupils to recognise rights and how these go hand in hand with responsibility.
The rule of law is further enhanced throughout curriculum subjects for example as in:
- Child development: pupils explore child protection issues including maternity and paternity laws
- Food technology: pupils identify food safety and hygiene laws including weights, measurements and legal age appropriate purchases and safety around these items (i.e. knives)
- Science: pupils learn how scientific activities operate within a regulatory framework including cloning and embryological work is conducted within legal parameters
Individual liberty
‘One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen, can change the world.’ Malala Yousafzai
We support pupils to make informed choices in a secure setting. Pupils develop self-respect and value themselves as individuals. Our school ethos, and methods of teaching, develop pupil’s independence as well as other qualities such as perseverance and resilience.
At Pleckgate our curriculum celebrates the memory of those who have struggled for liberty. A good example of this is a week’s themed assembly focus celebrating international women’s day.
Individual liberty is further enhanced throughout curriculum subjects for example in:
- History: pupils discover the quest for individual liberty within Nazi Germany and 20th Century America looking at how some people’s individual liberty was removed
- Geography: pupils cover issues of religion and attitudes to birth control and relationships in China and Singapore with its effect on the population structure
- MFL: pupils study Bastille Day and the French revolution and how this has shaped individual liberties in countries and they then compare this to the UK
Mutual respect and tolerance
‘We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters, or we will perish together as fools’. Martin Luther King, Jr.
‘The highest result of education is tolerance’ Helen Keller
Respect is a core value of our school and underpins our ethos and moto. Respect is shown by all adults and pupils towards each other and towards our community. Our wide and broad curriculum supports this and helps children to articulate what respect means in practice. Pupils can talk about their own faith and beliefs as well as the faiths and beliefs of others. Our emphasis is one of unity around what unites us as human beings.
Through our diverse wide curriculum but in particular Religious Education and tutor time, we deepen children’s understanding of faith and belief. We participate in a wide range of celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Rosh Hashanah, Eid, Christmas as well as many others. We welcome visitors from our community and have themed weeks to enrich understanding of culture as well as an emphasis on British culture.
Mutual respect is further enhanced throughout curriculum subjects for example in:
- Art: ensuring respect of other pupils art work when it has been produced and is being peer assessed
- ICT: presentation and reading of work which has been produced by the individual to build confidence and impress upon them the importance of listening to other people’s opinions
- Mathematics: pupils work in groups to collaborate meaning that mutual respect is a vital part of the teaching and learning session
At Pleckgate we view these fundamental British values as universal moral beliefs that are commonly held across the world. We teach these through a distinct curriculum that recognises the unique culture of Britain. We successfully develop in our pupils a pride in being part of the British nation.
Citizenship
Citizenship at Pleckgate High School provides pupils with knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them for life in society. Our broad and balanced subject curriculum works alongside the pastoral curriculum to allow opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of democracy, government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
During pastoral sessions pupils have regular discussion regarding the world around them, talking about current issues and evaluating their opinions on current topics. Pupils take part in a weekly votes for school activity, which visits a current affairs topic and asks them to consider their own thoughts, make persuasive arguments and substantiate their conclusions. This all links to how they as individuals can contribute to society.
Citizenship is embedded within the PSHE curriculum, where topics of health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world teach our pupils about becoming responsible citizens. Citizenship is seen throughout curriculum subjects, for example, in Religion and World Views pupils confidently speak and share their views on topics that are important to them, considering the viewpoints of different religions.
Enrichment activities also allow our pupils to broaden their knowledge and experiences of the community they live in. These activities are designed to enable pupils to take responsibility, make decisions, develop confidence and develop skills and competencies they will need to use in the future. Many of these activities can be seen in our enrichment programme. There are leadership opportunities in school which develop the skills of pupils to work together, take responsibility and help and support their peers
