Democracy

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Yate Academy, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for “Student Leadership”. We run parallel mock elections, promote political events and emphasise the importance of registering to vote for our sixth formers.

The principle of democracy is also explored in Tutor Reading, where students are asked to apply the British values to the reading canon.

PSHE  plays an active part in educating students about DEMOCRACY and there are opportunities to access visits to the Houses of Parliament. Citizenship will be delivered as part of the PSHE programme.

In addition, Student Voice is very strong at Yate Academy and we feel that, by valuing and responding to the students, we demonstrate their democracy and freedom.

We have a system called VOICE and CHOICE as well as a general students group called “COMMUNITY SLICE”, which is led by our Sixth form students. From all of these, students feedback what was discussed, suggested and resolved, and this is then reported to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Full Governing Board.

Voice and Choice is a fortnightly forum with the Headteacher, a member of SLT and a member of the sixth form student leadership council. Students may apply to take part in this to discuss ongoing positives and negatives in regards to the school.

Community Slice is an opportunity for our sixth form students to meet with the lower year groups to discuss any issues, but also to allow freedom of speech.

The School will continue to focus on a range of local and national charities.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they may be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Yate Academy. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school, our rules are consistently reinforced through our assemblies and curriculum.

Students are taught about the consequences of not abiding by rules both within school – through our Yate Academy School Behaviour for Learning System - showing clear consequences, and are also regularly taught and reminded about UK law on a range of different topics, including equality and e-safety. Throughout the year, we welcome a range of visitors from the Health Service, the Police, Theatre in Education and a range of speakers from local and national charities who reinforce this message.The rule of law is explored through PSHE lessons in which students learn about law making and administration.  It is also emphasised that all people are equal before the law.

Individual Liberty

At Yate Academy, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure, and supportive environment. Staff at Yate Academy work hard to provide a positive culture using our Values – educating students and providing them with boundaries enabling them to make informed choices, through a safe and empowering education. Students are ALL encouraged to set personal targets and seek to challenge themselves in individual classes, giving them more freedom to determine their own success. We offer a range of enrichment activities, which students have the right to choose from, based on their interests.

Students are also 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. Yate Academy has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive BEHAVIOUR POLICY.

Students are encouraged to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised to exercise these safely, through assemblies, PSHE, Focus days and other subjects.  This can also include their freedom of choice when participating in extracurricular activities.

At Yate Academy, we aim for students to become independent, believing this can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Human Rights Act and how these link to personal responsibilities are all taught through the PSHE curriculum.

Mutual Respect

Respect is a strong part of Yate Academy and is linked to our Core values of Leadership, Resilience and Citizenship. Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environments. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment.

Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs.

This is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity through a culturally rich and diverse curriculum.  Yate Academy promotes EQUALITY within its ethos of its Core Values - Leadership, Resilience and Citizenship and students are regularly reminded of school and UK policy as well as being given a vast array of opportunities to self–express. We invite in a range of outside speakers and draw from our multi-faith staff, to deliver assemblies and activities which promote tolerance and understanding.

Students are widely taught about anti-discrimination laws as well as understanding diversity in the UK through their PSHE lessons.