British Values
Helena Romanes School is committed to serving its community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. Our school 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.
Helena Romanes School follows 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. We are dedicated to preparing students 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
The school uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways Helena Romanes School seeks to embed British values.
DEMOCRACY
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Helena Romanes School, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for Head Boy and Girl and Prefects positions, and nominations for Student Voice and Student Parliament members. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in form time and 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 Helena Romanes School.
Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the student code of conduct and student expectations. Students 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 the Fire Service to reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
At Helena Romanes School, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Helena Romanes School educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety, PSHE lessons and form time work.
Helena Romanes School has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Student Discipline Policy.
Mutual Respect
Respect is a strong part of Helena Romanes School and is part of its Mission Statement & Values. Students learn that their behaviour has 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 a variety of different mediums.
Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment with the school’s ethos being ‘Honesty, Respect and Success’.
Tolerance of those of different faiths & beliefs
This is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Students benefit from a number of international visitors, including students from other continents and cultures.
Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. The Religious Studies curriculum, which is compulsory for all students up to the end of Year 10, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
Helena Romanes School strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our Society.
