Thwaites School is committed to serving its community.  We recognise the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world.  We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.

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. Thwaites School is dedicated to preparing pupils for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its students.

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 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five British Values are:

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

We use strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils. The examples that follow show some of the many ways we seek to embed British values.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Thwaites School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for School Council positions. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in News assemblies.

 The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Thwaites School. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school, which are highlighted by the home school agreement that pupils, parents and the headteacher sign.  Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message. Pupils are always helped to distinguish right from wrong.  The Behaviour Policy sets out our approach to any form of aggression, abuse or violence.

Individual Liberty

Pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Thwaites School educate and provide boundaries for pupils 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 are advised on how to exercise these safely.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

‘Be Respectful’ is one of the core rules at our school. Pupils know and understand that respect is expected to be shown to everyone, including adults and children.  Pupils learn 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 and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for pupils to express their views in a safe environment. Through the RE curriculum pupils are encouraged to discuss and respect the differences between people such as different faith, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality and difference of family situations.