British Values and Protected Characteristics

British Values

At our school, we actively promote British Values, as defined under the Ofsted guidance 2014, through our ethos, agreed rules, curriculum and teaching. The government defines British Values as:

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

These values are woven carefully into our inspiring and inclusive curriculum.

We value the diverse ethnic backgrounds of all children, families and staff, and undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate these. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties and it teaches respect and appreciation for the differences in our community and the wider world. We actively challenge children, staff and parents / carers expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

Protected Characteristics

The Equality Act became law in 2010. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Everyone in Britain is protected. This is because the Equality Act protects people against discrimination because of the protected characteristics that we all have. Under the Equality Act, there are nine Protected Characteristics:

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Race
Religion or belief
Marriage or civil partnership
Sex
Sexual orientation
Pregnancy and maternity.

Under the Equality Act you are protected from discrimination:

When you are in the workplace
When you use public services like healthcare (for example, visiting your doctor or local hospital) or education (for example, at your school or college)
When you use businesses and other organisations that provide services and goods (like shops, restaurants, and cinemas)
When you use transport
When you join a club or association (for example, your local tennis club)
When you have contact with public bodies like your local council or government departments.

The 9 Protected Characteristics are actively promoted in our school through:

Our school vision and values,
Our school development plans,
Our school behaviour policy,
Conscious role modelling by all adults in the school community,
Active engagement and communication with parents and carers,
Assemblies,
British Values themes planned and discussed in assemblies,
Discussion within curriculum subjects, taking a cross-curricular approach,
Promoting articulation by building appropriate language and a coherent vocabulary,
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE),
Religious Education (RE) lessons,
Sporting, art and cultural events,
Pupil voice including the School Council,
Educational visits,
Real-life learning outside the classroom,
Visiting speakers and specialists,
Developing links with local, regional and national communities,
Extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs, charity work and work within the local community

Embedding Protected Characteristics into the whole ethos of our school promotes:

Self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence,
Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process,
Acceptance of responsibility for their own behaviour,
Respect for their own and other cultures,
Understanding of how they can contribute positively to school and home life and to the lives of those living and working in the locality and further afield,
An understanding of Equality, Human Rights and Protected Characteristics,
An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process,
An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety,
An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law,
An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour,
An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.