Young people are provided with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become good citizens and lead highly successful lives in modern Britain. Opportunities to explore and engage with British values and SMSC are built into the PHSE curriculum, lessons and assemblies. Alongside a range of artistic, cultural, sporting and international events.
Having a clear understanding of MBV’s is something that we actively encourage at TFA. We want all of our students to have a firm awareness of the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of making negative choices and we actively promote respect, tolerance and democracy throughout the academy.
We insist that respect is shown in every single area of the school and we work extremely hard to ensure that this is instilled into our students. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of our local community, the United Kingdom and our global community. Students are provided with a safe space to explore the different values people hold and learn about different cultures and faiths. Students are given the time to explore ideas and develop a sense of identity about what views and values they hold. The Farnley Academy is dedicated to preparing students for adulthood beyond the formal curriculum and promote lifelong values in all of our students
Democracy is taught through variety of ways at TFA whether it’s voting for House captains or completing a democratic vote for Heads of School to give students an understanding of the process. We aim to give all students a clear understanding of how they as citizens in our school and in their local community, can bring about influence through a democratic process.
Preventing Radicalisation & Extremism
Terms and definitions:
- Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
- Ideology – a set of beliefs.
- Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism.
At The Farnley Academy we aim to build pupil’s resilience to radicalisation by promoting Modern British Values and enabling them to challenge extremist views. Students are given a safe space in which they and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments.
Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming involved with extreme and terrorist actions or supporting terrorists or extremist views. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism including extreme right wing violent groups.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
Under section 78 of the Education Act (2002) the Academy is required by law to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society. More recently, the Government has issued guidance for schools and academies on how to actively promote fundamental British values. Parents and carers can read this guidance by downloading the document.
Parents, carers, professionals and students at TFA will all agree that education is about more than academic results. At The Farnley Academy we aim to develop not only successful learners but responsible citizens and effective participants with firm foundations in social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness.
On a practical level, our commitment to social, moral, spiritual and cultural development requires planned opportunities for our young people to:
- Reflect about beliefs, values and more profound aspects of human experience, enabling them to develop curiosity in their learning, and as thoughtful, responsible individuals
- Develop and apply an understanding of right and wrong in their school life and life outside school
- Take part in a range of activities requiring social skills
- Develop awareness of and respect for diversity in relation to, for example, gender, race, religion and belief, culture, sexual orientation and disability
- Gain a well-informed understanding of the options and challenges facing them as they move through the school and on to the next stage of their education and training
- Develop an appreciation of theatre, music, art and literature
Develop the skills and attitudes to enable them to participate fully and positively in democratic modern Britain
Central to our work in this area is our commitment to celebrating and promoting the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. Students will actively learn about the importance of inclusiveness and diversity with regards to the LGBTQ+ community, examples of activism and religious differences in the UK and around the world. Only by doing this will our young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.
To this end, our young people are provided with opportunities to develop:
- An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
- An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
- An acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
- An understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination
