British Values
Preparing our students for life in modern Britain
At Brentwood County High School, we envision a dynamic learning community that fosters growth and prepares students for a rapidly evolving world. Our vision is rooted in our core values of
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Self-help
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Self-responsibility
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Democracy
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Equality
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Equity
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Solidarity
We recognise the multi-cultural and multi-faith nature of the wider community in the United Kingdom and the challenges our young people face in modern Britain. Our goal is to ensure our students are prepared for adult life in today's ever-changing world.
At BCHS we actively promote the defined British Values of:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are woven throughout school life. Young people in the circle’s character grow everyday but we ensure this with thoughtful and well-delivered assembly curriculum, personal development sessions every morning that works in tandem with the reading curriculum, enrichment clubs, educational excursions and much more. Our whole behaviour policy is rooted in character.
Democracy
Democracy is central to the way we work at BCHS. We value the views of our students and empower them to be part of making our school the best it can be. Our Student Parliament means we have representatives from every form group participating in discussions and decision making. The parliament is run by members of our Sixth Form who feedback to the schools senior leadership and governing body. Our Head Boy and Girl and their deputies are democratically elected each year and are associate members of our governing body. We believe that through listening to the voice of our students in a structured way we are demonstrating how citizens can influence decision-making through a democratic process.
Rule of Law
The enforcement of rules is part of every day school life. Students are taught the importance of acting responsibly and respecting each other and the rights of everyone in school to be safe and to learn. Our Behaviour Policy focusses on the benefits of acting responsibly whilst highlighting the basic rules we follow to ensure everyone has an opportunity to succeed in our school. Students are also taught about the UK legal system, and judiciary through PHSE classes and PD sessions in the lower school and Politics in Sixth Form.
Individual Liberty
At BCHS students are taught to make sensible choices and to learn right from wrong in an environment that is safe and supportive. We encourage individual liberty whilst providing boundaries to ensure our students are safe. E-Safety is delivered through our computing curriculum, Personal Development (PD) sessions, assemblies and PHSE lessons. Time is provided on the curriculum in PD and PHSE to discuss democracy, liberty and tolerance and how to balance liberty and safety. PD is used daily to discuss world affairs and spiritual, moral, cultural and social aspects of life in the modern world. We provide opportunities and experiences through the curriculum and extra curricula activities for our students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Our students are taught to care for each other and ‘speak kindly of others’ in everything we do at BCHS. We operate a policy of zero tolerance on discrimination of any kind through rigorously enforcing our Anti-Bullying and Race and Equality Policies. A broad and balanced range of religions, cultures and beliefs are studied across the curriculum.
