British Values

Ormiston Bridge Academy is committed to serving its community.

We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understand our vital role in ensuring that groups or individuals within the academy are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. 

Ormiston Bridge Academy is dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal, examined curriculum and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to all of our students. 

The government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key British Values are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British Values in the Prevent Strategy, values of:

Democracy is integral to our practices here at the academy. Students are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Students also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our ‘Student Leadership Council’ as well as student voice surveys.

Furthermore, students are actively encouraged to participate in discussions regarding democracies and freedoms of speech, as well as the effect of those not living in democratic communities.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the academy, or the country, are consistently reinforced here at Ormiston Bridge Academy. Students are taught from first day the rules of the Academy and these are consistently reinforced. 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. Rewards are given to students demonstrating good attitudes, positive acts of citizenship and good behaviour both in the academy and in the wider local community.

At our 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 and inclusive education. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights, responsibilities and personal freedoms and receive advice about how to exercise these safely.

Respect is one of the C.O.R.E values of our academy. Our students were fully involved in the creation of our academy values and it is embedded in all we do here, both in the classroom environment and outside of it. The students know and understand that it is expected and that it is imperative to show respect to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything.

Our C.O.R.E value of respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs. At our Academy we actively challenge students, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.