Promoting British Values

Slough & Eton is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It 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.

It 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. Slough & Eton is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to the whole school community.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools and 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 that Slough & Eton seeks to embed British values.

Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Slough & Eton, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, staff recruitment process, Form and Sport Captains and Slough Youth Parliament members. The principle of democracy is also explored in the History and Religious Education curriculum as well as in form time and acts of worship.


The rule of law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, school or the country are consistently reinforced at Slough & Eton. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted by the student code of conduct and 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 external speakers, for example, the High Sheriff, help
reinforce this message.


Individual liberty
At Slough & Eton, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Slough & Eton 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, examples include e-safety. Slough & Eton has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place an effective Behaviour Policy.


Mutual Respect
Respect is at the core of our school ethos and is modelled by students and staff alike. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning environments. In line with our commitment to mutual respect students at Slough & Eton are always able to voice their opinions and we foster an environment where they are safe to disagree with each other. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum, from the concept of ‘fair play’ in PE to the student mentoring programme that is embedded across the school community. We provide the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment with Slough & Eton’s Christian ethos of ‘Love the Lord God…’’Love your neighbour as yourself’ being underpinned by our belief in ‘neighbourly love’.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and 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. We also run a number of trips abroad throughout the academic year from which our students gain valuable experience of other cultures and languages. Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate different cultural festivities throughout the calendar year. The Religious Education curriculum, which is compulsory for all students up to the end of Key Stage 4, provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures. Slough & Eton strives to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful career and a positive contribution to our society. They are prepared for life