British Values

Promoting British Values at Marden Lodge

We take a holistic approach to British Values, these are embedded in our day to day teaching.  We are committed to serving our  community.  We recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom.  We also understand 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.

We follow 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. Marden Lodge is dedicated to preparing pupils for their secondary education and then for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its pupils.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools.  The government 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

Marden Lodge uses strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students.  The examples that follow show some of the many ways we seek to embed British values.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced , with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for Pupil Parliament.  The principle of democracy is also explored throughout the wider curriculum.

The rule of law

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, is consistently reinforced at Marden Lodge.

Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are promoted across the school within our vision statement and the expectations of behaviour. In addition, pupils are fully engaged in individual class expectations for behaviour. Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind these expectations that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when expectations are not followed.

Individual liberty

At Marden Lodge, pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Marden Lodge educate and provide boundaries for pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. 

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and PSHE work.

Marden Lodge has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive promotion of a positive Behaviour Policy. 

Mutual Respect

Respect is a strong part of Marden Lodge and being respectful is one of our Star Values. Pupils learn that their behaviours can have both a positive and negative effect on their impact on others and on their own and others long term well-being. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environments. 

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

This is achieved though equipping pupils 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.  Pupils are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year.  The Religious Education curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures. 

We expect that pupils leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life.  We continue to strive that our pupils be excellent role models and to ensure that every pupil makes a successful contribution to our society.