British Values

Promoting our British values at St. Anne's School, Alderney, Channel Islands

The Department for Education have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

The government set out its definition of British values in 2011, and these values were reiterated by the Prime Minister in 2015. At the heart of these values are good relationships in which teachers, parents and students work together towards common goals.

We agree with the Department for Education’s five-part definition of British values:

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

At St. Anne's School these values are both integral to our school values and ethos and reinforced on a daily basis in the following ways.

Democracy

Pupils have the opportunity to contribute to school life through Pupil Council. Each tutor group elects School Council representatives who meet each term. Pupils are given the opportunity to debate and discuss democracy in many areas of the curriculum. Opportunities for all pupils to learn about democracy and participate in the democratic process are seen particularly in Religious Studies, English, History, Geography and PSHE; although all subjects will involve discussion, turn taking, debate and decision making.

Pupils are also placed into Houses where they are given the opportunity to work together to achieve a common goal. Pupils are invited to work along staff and School Management Committee Members in the employment of new staff and are regularly invited to be part of the interview process via pupil panels. Recently pupils were consulted and given the opportunity to vote over which charities we fund raise for, as well as which designs they liked for our playground markings.

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 assemblies. Pupils have been involved in the creation and monitoring of the consequences system through their pupil councils.

Pupils are taught the history, value and reasons behind laws that govern and protect us. The consequences system is shared at the start of the new academic year and revisited through assemblies and tutor periods throughout the year and PSHE lessons. The school host visits from outside agencies, e.g. The Police, local religious faith leaders to help reinforce the importance of this message. Good morals are taught.

Individual Liberty

We have a positive culture in our school where pupils are able to make choices in a safe environment. Our curriculum celebrates the rich history of liberty in Britain through discussion of such areas as the arts, sports as well as the spoken and written word. Differentiated planning by teachers allows pupils the opportunity to have a more personalised learning experience. The school curriculum enables all pupils to make guided choices regarding future academic pathways later in their secondary education. We offer a wide range of activities designed to allow every pupil the opportunity to take part in an extra-curricular activity in which they have an interest.

Pupils are also taught about the importance of E-Safety through assemblies and Citizenship and ICT/Computing lessons.

Pupils are involved in healthy eating discussions with visiting health professionals and are able to make educated choices at break and lunchtimes.

Mutual Respect

The Positive Behaviour for Learning Code of Conduct engenders our basic belief in mutual respect. This is integral in our school wide classroom rules and is reinforced in day to day teaching, tutor activities and assemblies. All staff in school promote and demonstrate respect for others and this is also reflected in older pupils in their roles as Prefects, Peer Mentors. Prefects and Head and Deputy Head Pupils. We have successful Peer Reading Schemes and English and Maths Ambassadors whereby older students mentor younger pupils in improving their learning in key subjects. Achievement is celebrated across the school; in assemblies, using House Points and merits, through postcards home, Star of the Week, Kindness Cup nominations and winner and through our website and social media platforms: Follow us at

At the end of the academic year the school holds a Celebration Assemblies. The school promotes strong anti-bullying measures, with pupils actively involved in all aspects from policy development through to group activities. Year 10 Peer Mentors meet Year 6 during induction week and continue their work with them throughout Year 7 building strong relationships.

Tolerance of those of Different Faith and Beliefs

St. Anne's School believes that tolerance is built through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity through the curriculum and in extracurricular activities. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice- based bullying have been led by senior staff and this is reinforced in learning particularly in RE and PSHE as well as other subjects across the school. The school also offers various opportunities for pupils to become knowledgeable about other faiths and beliefs from outside speakers of different faiths and cultures. The school has a zero tolerance approach to racism and very few instances are reported.