British Values

Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems. It can help our students to develop an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Wymondham College, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community as well as opportunities to enhance students’ political understanding:

• The promotion of student voice where opinions are valued, encouraged and which can influence change. For example, the students voted on the choice of new College skirt.
• House Council representatives are elected by their peers and have a responsibility to report back to the rest of their form.
• The School Council has regular meetings, council members are encouraged to take ownership of the meetings, to contribute ideas and bring back decisions to the rest of the school.
• Students are involved in the staff recruitment process.
• There is a fair and consistent Behaviour Policy with agreed rewards and sanctions.
• The Democracy and Diversity strand of the PSHCE, RS and the Floreat programmes, focusing on topics such as MPs, voting systems, combating bullying and discrimination, as well as contemporary political issues.
• Parental and Carer questionnaires enable their views to be shared and heard.
• Annual hustings and follow up elections being held for Headteacher’s Council positions.
• The curriculum: History, Politics, PSHCE, RS
• Students are encouraged to consider and choose differentiated learning opportunities in lessons.
• Hustings for local candidates in the lead up to the December 2019 election
• Mock elections
• European Youth Parliament

Develop an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individuals and is essential for their wellbeing and safety. All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Wymondham College. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school. Students 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. These values are reinforced in different ways: 

• The College’s Behaviour Policy.
• Student reflecting regularly on their learning during lessons and their behaviour during assemblies.
• Annual Parent / Carers questionnaires include questions which relate to behaviour, safety etc.
• Assemblies throughout the year which make links to the law. For example, school rules, Anti-bullying Week and E-safety help students to understand how to behave towards each other and how to be safe.
• Marking and feedback policies which set clear boundaries, which are explained clearly to students and staff.
• Accountability, which is stressed to all, including staff (Teacher’s Standards and Performance Management) and students (The School Rules).
• PSHCE and the Floreat programmes, which focus on many topics including Democracy, Anti-Discrimination, Relationships and Sexual Health education and Drugs education.
• The close working relationships we have with the local Police as part of our pastoral care.
• Bar Mock trial Competition
• Visits from authorities such as the police
• Religious Education, during which rules from different faiths are considered.
• Other curriculum subjects, where there is a need for respect and appreciation of different rules – e.g.  P.E.

Individual liberty suggests the free exercise of rights and developing an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected by law.

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

In our school we promote the importance of the Individual Liberty through such things as:

• Participation in our numerous Wymondham Life activities and opportunities, where students are given the freedom to make choices.
• Opportunities to participate in events within the community or with other schools or sporting events
• Our robust anti-bullying culture and a comprehensive Behaviour Policy.
• Demonstration by students, within the school and in the community, of a clear understanding of the high expectations of behaviour.
• Taking responsibility by volunteering to be a member of the House Councils, Wellbeing Ambassadors, thereby helping their fellow students.
• Parental and Carer Questionnaires are given out at every opportunity, such as Parents/Carer Evenings and Annual Reviews, in which they are able to share their views and any concerns, as well as the values they think are important.
• Valuing and celebrating students work and progress through displays in classrooms, nominations for Headteacher Awards etc.
• Encouragement to participate in charitable events e.g. Children in Need, Sport Relief, NSPCC, Comic Relief, and various charities, etc.
• Taking responsibility for ‘Charities Week’ – nominating a charity and organising events.
• Our robust and clear Anti-bullying culture and Behaviour Policy for all students and staff, which allows the opportunity for individual choices in a safe and supportive environment.
• PSHCE and Floreat programmes focus on areas such as managing risks, financial wellbeing and careers.
• Students 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 PSHCE.
• Active encouragement to express views and opinions in lessons in a formative manner.
• Offering students choices for their future academic pathways as they move from KS4 to KS5 and beyond.
• Opportunities for freedom of speech and expression through mediums such as the School Council and student-led assemblies.

Developing an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs (or none) should be accepted and tolerated and should not be subject to prejudice or discrimination.

Mutual respect is a strong part of Wymondham College and its values. Students learn that their behaviours influence their own rights and those of others. All members of the College community treat each other with respect, and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.  

At Wymondham College we promote the importance of mutual respect through such things as:

• The curriculum provides the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment.
• Providing a balanced curriculum that offers a wide range of life opportunities for our students.
• PSHCE and the Floreat education provision allow planned opportunities to develop topics such as personal identity, anti-bullying, Discrimination, Relationships, emotional health, gender and career stereotypes, Human Rights, etc. These lessons enable students to develop a greater understanding of themselves, those around them, and those in our local community.
• Positive relationships encouraged and modelled throughout the school i.e. child to child, adult to child, and adult to adult.
• Our Religious Studies scheme of learning enables students to learn not only knowledge but also develop an understanding of the world of religion and how beliefs impact on daily lives. This helps develop tolerance and mutual respect for religious viewpoints.
• Student Art exhibitions in College and the Forum in Norwich, where students show respect for each other’s achievements.
• Annual Anti-bullying Week and Internet Safety sessions explore how our behaviours affect others.
• Promotion of ‘fair play’ in PE and Games sessions
• Clear expectations of good behaviour in all facets of school life.
• A culture that promotes the core values that students take responsibility for their actions and recognise the implications of negative behaviour on others.
• Creative Arts - by considering cultures from around the world through music, art and dance.
• Knowledge & Understanding of the World - through organising Themed Weeks where we celebrate and enjoy the differences between other countries and cultures.
• Literacy and ICT – where there are opportunities to explore cultures and traditions using a wide range of fiction, non-fiction texts and the internet.
• Scientific Learning- in which practical activities require students to engage in teamwork and show mutual respect.
• Charity Events where pupils are made aware of the needs of people both in our own and other countries, supporting them through national fund-raising events such as Children in Need, Walking with the Wounded, Sparkle Malawi etc.
• The School Exchange Program in which pupils visit and are visited by schools across Europe which promotes mutual respect for one another’s heritage.

A fair, objective, and permissive attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own.

This is achieved though equipping Wymondham College students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by providing opportunities to experience such diversity within the College community. Wymondham College strives endlessly to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our society. This is achieved through enhancing students’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity.

At Wymondham College we promote the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through such things as:

• Learning about and celebrating being British, and the understanding that Britain is a multi-cultural country.
• Religious Studies taught to all students in Key Stage 3 and 4. The RE curriculum provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
• Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning in RE, PSHCE and the Floreat programme.
• The PSHCE and Floreat programmes focus on cultural identity, equality & discrimination, and human rights.

• The College runs events, such as the ‘European Week of Languages’ which help develop students’ tolerance to those from other countries, as well as celebrating being British.
• Weekly Sunday Chapel services for boarding students
• Regular Chapel services for all students
• Celebration of festivals throughout the year e.g. Chinese New Year
• College educational visits e.g a local Mosque
• External faith speakers invited into assemblies.
• Opportunities to taste and make food from around the world
• LELE & LGBTQ+
• Student-led Diversity group