Promoting British Values

Upton-by-Chester High School has a strong school culture, underpinned by effective relationships between all members of our diverse school community. Upton-by-Chester High School is committed to serving our local, national and global community and recognises the ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We understand the vital role we have in ensuring that groups or individuals within our school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

At Upton-by-Chester High School we follow equal opportunities guidance to ensure that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status or similar. Upton-by-Chester High School is dedicated to preparing learners for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values.

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

The five British Values are:

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

The examples that follow show some of the many ways Upton-by-Chester High School seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Upton-by-Chester High School, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community. The principle of democracy is also explored in the history and RE curriculum as well as in PLaN (Yr 7-11) and THRIVE (Yr12-13) time and through assemblies. Learner voice plays a critical role in the school, and learners are routinely invited to be part of panels for senior staff appointments.

Additionally, Upton-by-Chester High School has a thriving school council who inform decisions on behalf of the learner body. One of their roles is to select charities and promote the work of the charity through assemblies and school events.

Learners of Upton-By-Chester High School have participated in the National Youth Parliament initiative, ‘Make My Mark’. This encourages all young people to identify, via democratic vote, the areas of concern in society which should be focused on nationally, locally and as a school.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the classroom, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Upton-by-Chester High School.

Learners 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 authorities such as the Police help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

At Upton-by-Chester High School, learners are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a secure and supportive setting. Staff educate and provide boundaries for learners to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.

Learners 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 fortnightly PHSE lessons. We are clear with our learners that freedom of speech does not equate to freedom from consequence if that speech is designed to hurt or harm others. Our shared language around ‘ABC’ (Actions Bring Consequences) reinforces this message.

Upton-by-Chester High School has a robust anti-bullying culture. In September 2018 we achieved the All Together Silver School Award from the Anti-Bullying Alliance in recognition of the work we have done and continue to do to reduce bullying and improve the wellbeing of our learners. Year 7 and 8 learners are supported by our Year 10 mentors. Year 12 mentors receive mental health first aid training in order to support their peers. Upton-by-Chester High School has in place a comprehensive Behaviour and Discipline (Inc. Suspension) Policy.

Mutual Respect

Respect is a strong part of Upton-by-Chester High School. Learners understand that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are regularly reminded to treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through teaching and learning environments. All teachers meet and greet learners on the door as part of delivering ‘the message’ and positive behaviour is recognised through attitude to learning marks during each and every lesson. Additionally, assemblies include issues such as children’s rights to education and respect, and their responsibilities towards each other with regard to religious and racial tolerance. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for learners to express their views in a safe way.

Upton-by-Chester High School is currently working with UCL as part of the Holocaust Beacon School programme. The school is one of only 15 schools working on this project. We are involved as we are committed to enhancing learning and teaching about the Holocaust.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

This is achieved though equipping learners 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. The RE curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions, and cultures.

Our PSHE programme aims to develop our learners as global citizens. Our LGBT+ group ensures learners have a safe space, visibility, and a voice in school and we are very proud to hold the Rainbow Flag Award since September 2022. We regularly hold assemblies to promote and celebrate diversity and raise awareness. We have delivered assemblies on Anti-Racism, Black History Month and Pride Week. In PSHE we embed these important messages. All learners have accessed the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ lesson, as well as lessons on diversity and inclusion.

Our prayer room is available for all learners, and staff and learners are made aware of the Dhuhr calendar.

Upton-by-Chester High School strives endlessly to ensure that its learners leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and make a successful contribution to our society. We work closely with our primary colleagues, Education Improvement Partners (EIP) to present and share ideas around wellbeing, community and wider global issues, for example, climate change.

Upton-by-Chester High School has been a Fairtrade school since 2009. The learners and staff have organised several fashion shows and events to promote and raise awareness about Fairtrade. Learners also help to run our Fairtrade shop known as the ‘Hut.’

We are committed to providing an education that is focused on ‘learning to shape the future.’