At Camborne Science and International Academy 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. Part of our role in that preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to our students. Actively promoting also means challenging students, staff and parents and carers that may express opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including extremist views.
The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and considered them to be democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. At Camborne Science and International Academy these values are reinforced in a pervasive manner and permeate the school community.
At Camborne Science and International Academy we promote and actively reinforce the British Values through tutorial, assemblies and our Preparation for Life programme. In addition, subject leaders deliver the British Values through our curriculum and monitor and review their delivery through their regular self-evaluation.
The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British Values and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.
Democracy
We have an active Student Voice who meet regularly to discuss issues from a student perspective and are genuinely able to effect change within the school. They contribute towards the review of school policies and complete a survey where they are able to put forward their views about the school. We have regular activities through our tutorial and Preparation for Life programme that reinforce democracy , for example, mock elections. Students also contribute to the recruitment process for new staff. During these activities they will not only give their own opinion, but also learn about considering and empathising with others before coming to a collective decision. The principal of democracy is also explored through the curriculum and assemblies.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern our classrooms, the academy, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Camborne Science and International Academy. Student rules and expectations are reinforced via our Behaviour for Learning Policy and Home School Agreement. Students are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Armed Forces help reinforce this message. Students have also taken part in relevant trips, such as a visit to parliament.
Individual Liberty
At Camborne Science and International Academy, students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As an academy we 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 advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our On-line safety assemblies and tutorial. Students are encouraged and supported to make choices in regard to their curriculum at the end of Year 9, 11 and post-16.
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 learning environment. Students have been part of discussions and assemblies related to respect, what this means and how it is shown. In line with our commitment to democracy students at Camborne Science and International Academy are always able to voice their opinions and we foster an environment where students are safe to disagree with each other. The academy promotes respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our Behaviour for Learning Policy. Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. This is constantly re-inforced in assemblies, tutorial and throughout the school day.
Tolerance
At Camborne Science and International Academy we equip students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and give them opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Through our extensive international programme our students gain valuable experience of other cultures and languages. Additionally, 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. Assemblies and tutorial and also reinforce the message of tolerance and respect for others.
