At The Joseph Whitaker School, we recognise the importance of encouraging students to develop academically, whilst also ensuring students develop the essential skills to be part of a successful community. Promoting and teaching British Values are an integral part of our school as we strive to ensure all of our students are prepared for adult life beyond the examinations.
British Values are defined by the government as:
These British Values are firmly embedded in the school’s PSHCE lessons where discreet lessons allow students to learn, discuss and enact upon all five of the British Values strands. These strands are then further promoted in a broad and balanced curriculum across all subject areas and teachers use all opportunities to reaffirm British Values.
In addition to class-based activities, the values form part of the pastoral calendar with assemblies and tutor time activities focusing on topics such as on tolerance and respect, alongside the democratic voting process of the Student Council and the Student Directors.
At The Joseph Whitaker School, we strongly believe that these values are not just taught to students through lessons but they are embedded firmly into school life, culture and ethos. In particular, the school’s annual Remembrance Day service is a powerful and emotional event through which students can show their respect. We are immensely proud of our large take up of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, as this further promotes the key value of working with the community and challenging yourself to overcome obstacles.
These are a sample of some of the many activities that promote British Values within our school: