British values

Longdean School is committed to ensuring that the variety of faiths, cultures and ethnicities that exist within the school are recognised and celebrated in line with the government’s requirement to teach key British values – democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

A key part of our education strategy is to ensure that our students become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain. To achieve this, Longdean uses strategies within its curriculum, vision and values, and policies, so that these British values are shared with students throughout the school. Outlined below are some examples of how we do this:

Policies 

The school accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. Our Equal Opportunities policy reflects British law and guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group based on faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, political or financial status, or similar. Longdean has three designated senior staff who are trained in prevention strategies; this training has been disseminated to all colleagues and is repeated every half term.

Pastoral care

The school operates a system of horizontal tutoring, with 8 Tutor Groups per year. In addition to the Form Tutors, each year group has a dedicated Pastoral Manager and a Head of Year. The structure also benefits from each key stage having an Assistant Headteacher who is responsible for overseeing the pastoral system.

To support and promote a feeling of belonging and identity, there is also a system in place, whereby every student in the school belongs to one of our four Houses. Our Houses are all named after a person famous for being an expert in a particular field; Leonardo Da Vinci, Rosalind Franklin, Bill Gates and Blaise Pascal. Each year group has two tutor groups dedicated to each House. The House System comes into its own when there are Inter-House competitions, Charity fund-raising events and Sports Day.

There is a Transition Coordinator and a Transition Learning Champion, who liaise with Primary Schools and help new Year 7 students with their transition to secondary school.

Through our e-Safeguarding policy, we also promote e-safety initiatives so that students and parents don't receive unsuitable or extremist online material.

 

School council and parliament

The school council comprises some 75 students who sit on various committees. They are democratically elected and provide the link between the four school Houses, the main student body and the school’s senior leadership team. The school parliament is held three times a year and reinforces the core values of mutual respect, tolerance and democracy through debates, votes and a headteacher’s question time.

Mathematics and Computing specialism

British STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) promotes the impact these subjects have had in shaping modern Britain in the past, present and future. Students study these subjects in-depth and apply them across the curriculum in many different ways.

Assemblies

Our assemblies uphold traditional values of empathy, respect, tolerance and democracy. They also focus on celebrating achievements, with many themed around character and its development Assemblies are also linked into the tutor programme, which reinforces and develops discussion around assembly themes.

Curriculum themes and topics

Longdean’s curriculum ensures that students leave the school with the qualifications and skills they need to have a choice and say in their futures. These include understanding and using money, effective literacy skills, collaboration, resilience, and qualities such as tolerance and respect for different points of view that are needed to learn in an ever-changing world. 

Year 7 competency curriculum 

This is divided into three elements and is based around personal learning and thinking skills. Opening Minds combines English, History, Geography and Religious Education. Future Skills blends Mathematics, Science, Technology and Computing. Resilience also promotes problem-solving and emotional intelligence. The cross-curricular focus and development of skills links strongly to an understanding of people’s personal freedoms, tolerance of views and respect for each other as unique individuals.

Social Sciences (RE, Citizenship, PE, Government and Politics)

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs is promoted in Religious Education as students gain a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices in the UK. St Albans cathedral is visited in Year 7, and religious leaders visit the school as part of the RE curriculum. Mutual respect is also taught within Social Sciences. Pupils are encouraged to know and understand their rights and personal freedoms, and are advised how to exercise these responsibly, for example, when debating moral issues at KS4.

Physical education

Promotion of the concept of fair play, following the rules, celebrating and rewarding success, accepting defeat and participating in activities that promote cooperation and inclusion form an integral part of the PE curriculum.

For further information on how Longdean promotes key British values, please email admin@longdean.herts.sch.uk or call 01442 217277.