British Values Statement

Promotion of British values

At Debenham High School we recognise not only the importance of allowing students to flourish academically but we also embrace our wider role in preparing them for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum, in their local community and as global citizens. Part of our role in that preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to our students.

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2015 Prevent Strategy and considered them to be democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. These values run through the school community as a golden thread; they are clearly articulated through the School Vision.

Debenham High School aims to nurture excellence and integrity in all members of our community. 

Debenham High is a place of learning and personal development for all. We aim to develop students to enable them to take their place in society as happy, successful and resilient people who act with integrity, purpose and love. Students develop a curiosity about the world around them and a desire to learn All students regardless of background and ability will be exposed to the very best so that they are able to understand and aspire to excellence; they should see this excellence both in school and beyond in the academic and cultural world. We hold  that all people are made in the image of God and as such we encourage students to develop a respect for and tolerance of others - regardless of differences of race, disability, sexuality, gender, culture or religion. 

As well as learning about other faiths and world views  our students develop an understanding of the Christian Faith and act in a way which demonstrates the key attributes of love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self -control. The whole school community is encouraged to live by Jesus’ teaching to love our neighbour and to “Treat others as you wish to be treated”

Students will leave Debenham, with excellent academic qualifications, a love and curiosity for knowledge, resilient and ready to succeed in and contribute to an ever changing world, having developed a moral strength, compassion and understanding of others.

Growing together in Character, Wisdom and Compassion

Opportunities to explicitly teach or embed these values are included in the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural mapping tool below.  Yet as an overview we look these values in the following way (LINK)

Democracy

At Debenham High School the principle of democracy is consistently reinforced. As we grow the democratic process will be employed for important decisions within the school community, for instance, through elections for Year Leaders, Form Representatives and Student Council. The principle of democracy is explored in History, PSHE and Religious Studies as well as in assemblies. Students will also be encouraged to participate in the school’s mock elections that take place alongside national elections.

The rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Students are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken with PSHE lessons.

Individual liberty

Within Debenham High School students are actively encouraged to make independent choices knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely, for example through our exploration of Online Safety and an understanding of areas of the world where individual liberties are not allowed.  Computer Science, English, Religious Studies, History, Geography and PSHE explicitly teach this within their Five Year Programmes of Study.

Mutual respect

Respect is at the core of our school ethos and vision and is modelled by students and staff alike. The school promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning environments. We foster an environment where students are safe to disagree with each other. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum from the concept of ‘fair play’ in PE to discussions in humanities. It is underpinned by the school motto, “Treat others at you want to be treated” based on Jesus’ teaching.

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 them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school. Our Religious Studies curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.  We have an active Diversity Group, which helps to run events and more embedded approaches that raise awareness.

Please click here to view our Spritial, Moral, Social & Cultural Development