British Values in the PSHE curriculum at AGS

Fundamental British Values are embedded throughout the PSHE curriculum at Allerton Grange. Whilst students embody these values throughout their entire experience at Allerton Grange, their PSHE lessons give them a chance to explore what it means to be a valued citizen in our communities. Our curriculum is designed to ensure students leave Allerton Grange ready to be successful citizens in a modern and diverse Britain.

Democracy

Students are given the opportunity in lesson to learn about the meaning of democracy and the importance of voting. We explore the idea of pressure groups, and identify how these can influence opinions during elections. Students also explore how digital data, social media algorithms, and ‘fake news’ can have an impact on our democracy.

Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those within the classroom, the school, or the country, is a concept which underpins all PSHE lessons at Allerton Grange. Students learning around the law develops from KS3, where they look at peer pressure, youth crime, illicit substances and consent to KS4 where topics are considered in greater detail. This includes learning about gang violence, providing students with exit strategies for gangs, education around criminal activity, blackmail and exploitation in online spaces. Our curriculum is designed to introduce and then expand on topics at an appropriate age, ensuring students receive the relevant knowledge to stay safe.

Individual Liberty

Students are encouraged to know, understand, and exercise their rights and personal freedoms, allowing them to determine their own success. They are supported in making independent choices within the safe environment provided by Allerton Grange. Our PSHE curriculum empowers students to be the best version of themselves that they can be – teaching them about their rights as children and as humans, and ensuring they feel secure in developing as an individual. Over the course of Y7 to Y11 students learn about the consequences of lifestyle choices such as diet, sleep, exercise and illicit substances. As part of the relationships topic students also consider platonic and romantic relationships. Our curriculum centres around empowering our students with the knowledge to make safe choices both now and in the future.

Respect and Tolerance

Allerton Grange is a diverse and culturally rich school with respect and tolerance not only at its heart, but woven though everything our students experience both in the PSHE classroom and across the school community. Tying in with the value of individual liberty, students are taught to be respectful and tolerant of all others regardless of faith, race, gender, nationality, sexuality or ability. Students cover lessons on anti-discrimination across a range of different topics including racism, sexism, ageism and ableism. Our lessons equip students with the skills to be respectful and tolerant towards those with different views to themselves, and teaches them to show kindness and empathy to others.