LEARN MORE ABOUT
British values
The Government defined its concept of
‘British values’
The Government defined its concept of ‘British values’ in its 2011 Prevent strategy, and since 2014 the Department for Education has required all academies 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”.
Our academy has a wonderfully diverse community and welcomes and values everyone, whatever their ability, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, or background. Currently, we have students and families who originate from many different countries worldwide. As a community academy, we believe we have a vital role in combating discrimination and promoting fairness, justice, and equality through our teaching and in the role models we offer. We teach our students to be responsible citizens and positive representatives of the United Kingdom within the wider world.
Promoting British values is, therefore, an intrinsic part of all we do. We expect that these values and attitudes are modelled and promoted by all the staff, allowing students to see and hear these values in action every day.
We promote ‘British values’ through our spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education which is developed through all curriculum areas and in all aspects of school life.
British values’ have been identified as
- Democracy: Hadley Learning Community fosters a deep respect for democracy by electing a Student Parliament through a democratic process. Senior Students and Deputies work alongside a team of Prefects to support the Parliament’s sub-groups: Belong, Respect, Inspire, Succeed, and Enjoy. Every year group is represented, with students regularly invited to voice their opinions at meetings. The Student Parliament and leadership teams are well-established, offering all students the opportunity to represent their peers
- Rule of Law: The importance of laws and rules, whether governing our classrooms, school, or the country, is consistently emphasised throughout the school day. Our behaviour policy is underpinned by clear expectations, and students are taught the value and reasoning behind rules through the curriculum, assemblies, and form time. We maintain strong connections with the local community to reinforce these messages, particularly through assemblies and presentations.
- Individual Liberty: Students are encouraged to understand, appreciate, and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, with guidance on how to do so safely. A supportive environment and well-structured curriculum empower students to make informed choices within clear boundaries. The Student Voice pathway allows students to share their thoughts and opinions, with feedback provided to senior leaders to assess and improve the school’s provision. Students are also encouraged to participate in sports and extracurricular activities, building resilience, perseverance, and a sense of achievement.
- Mutual Respect: Our ethos and behaviour policy are built around our core values: Belong, Respect, Inspire, Succeed, and Enjoy. These values guide how we interact as a community and are central to our success. Our values are prominently displayed, and our systems and processes reinforce the importance of character development and community engagement. Through the personal development curriculum, students explore themes such as health and wellbeing, online safety, celebrating equality and diversity, and relationships and sex education (RSE). Students are taught to respect others’ religions, cultures, genders, ethnicities, beliefs, and sexual orientations. They learn about protected characteristics and are encouraged to be responsible, respectful, and resilient individuals who value diversity and treat everyone equally
- Acceptance of different faiths and beliefs: We promote understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity by providing opportunities for students to explore different faiths and beliefs. Through Religious Education, PSHE, and other subjects, students learn about symbols, traditions, and celebrations from various religions. Assemblies introduce students to diverse cultural practices and challenge prejudices, equipping them to confront discrimination. Our student body is culturally diverse, and we celebrate our differences through both the taught curriculum and extracurricular activities, fostering respect for all members of our community.