At Walton Academy, we prepare our students to become respectful, responsible and active members of the communities in which they live. Fundamental British values are embedded throughout our personal development curriculum, wider curriculum, academy culture and opportunities for student participation and leadership.
Through our curriculum and wider provision, students develop their understanding of:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty, and
- mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
These values help students understand their rights and responsibilities, appreciate different perspectives and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Democracy
Students learn about democracy and how democratic systems enable people to participate in decision-making and influence the communities in which they live.
This understanding is developed through personal development, curriculum learning and opportunities for students to have their voices heard. Students are encouraged to express their views respectfully, listen to others and understand that people may hold different opinions.
At Walton Academy, students have opportunities to participate in academy life through:
- House representation and student leadership
- student voice and feedback
- student-led activities and projects
- opportunities to contribute to academy improvement, and
- wider leadership and representation opportunities.
We want students to understand that having a voice also brings responsibility: listening to others, respecting different perspectives and contributing constructively to their community.
The rule of law
Students develop an understanding of the importance of laws, rules and boundaries in maintaining a safe and respectful society.
Through personal development and the wider curriculum, students explore:
- the purpose of laws and rules
- the difference between right and wrong
- rights and responsibilities
- the consequences of choices and actions
- how the law protects individuals and communities
- how laws and rules can change over time, and
- the importance of respecting the rights of others.
Students are encouraged to understand not only what the rules are, but why they exist and how they contribute to a safe, fair and respectful community.
Individual liberty
At Walton Academy, students are supported to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to make informed and responsible choices.
Through personal development and the wider curriculum, students explore topics including:
- making informed decisions
- personal responsibility
- healthy and respectful relationships
- online safety and digital responsibility
- managing risk and recognising unsafe situations
- freedom of expression and the responsibilities that accompany it, and
- the importance of respecting the choices, rights and freedoms of others.
Students are encouraged to understand that individual liberty is balanced with responsibility and with the rights and freedoms of other people.
Mutual respect and tolerance
Respect is central to our academy culture.
Students learn to recognise and value the similarities and differences between people and to understand that individuals may have different beliefs, cultures, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Through personal development, RSHE and the wider curriculum, students explore:
- respectful relationships
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- protected characteristics
- prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping
- different faiths and beliefs
- identity and belonging
- rights and responsibilities, and
- how to challenge prejudice and discrimination appropriately.
Students are taught that disagreement is not, in itself, disrespect. They develop the skills to listen, question, discuss and respond to different viewpoints appropriately and respectfully.
We expect all members of the Walton Academy community to contribute to an environment in which people feel safe, valued and included.
Mutual respect and tolerance
Respect is central to our academy culture.
Students learn to recognise and value the similarities and differences between people and to understand that individuals may have different beliefs, cultures, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Through personal development, RSHE and the wider curriculum, students explore:
- respectful relationships
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- protected characteristics
- prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping
- different faiths and beliefs
- identity and belonging
- rights and responsibilities, and
- how to challenge prejudice and discrimination appropriately.
Students are taught that disagreement is not, in itself, disrespect. They develop the skills to listen, question, discuss and respond to different viewpoints appropriately and respectfully.
We expect all members of the Walton Academy community to contribute to an environment in which people feel safe, valued and included.
British values in personal development
Fundamental British values are not taught as isolated concepts. They are developed progressively through our personal development programme and reinforced through the wider curriculum and academy experience.
Students have opportunities to consider British values alongside themes including:
- rights and responsibilities
- equality and diversity
- relationships
- health and wellbeing
- citizenship and community
- careers and preparation for adulthood
- financial responsibility
- online safety
- respect and belonging
- social and ethical issues, and
- participation and leadership.
This allows students to revisit and apply these ideas as they mature, moving beyond simply knowing what the values mean towards understanding how they influence their choices, relationships and participation in society.
British values in action
We believe that students understand values most effectively when they have opportunities to experience and practise them.
Across academy life, students can develop these values through:
Lead – developing leadership skills and taking responsibility for others.
Represent – having opportunities to express student views and represent their peers, House or wider academy community.
Contribute – participating in enrichment, community activities and opportunities that enable students to make a positive contribution.
Students are encouraged to become active members of their school and wider community and to recognise that their actions can have a positive impact on others.
Preparing students for life in modern Britain
Our aim is for every student to leave Walton Academy with the knowledge, confidence and character to participate positively in society.
We want our students to:
- understand their rights and responsibilities
- respect the rights, beliefs and perspectives of others
- recognise and challenge prejudice and discrimination
- understand how democratic society and the rule of law operate
- make informed and responsible decisions
- contribute positively to their communities, and
- feel confident that they have a voice and a role to play in society.
British values therefore form an important part of our wider commitment to personal development, belonging, equality, diversity and inclusion at Walton Academy.
