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

Our role is not limited to supporting learners to gain the knowledge and acquire the skills that allow them to achieve academically, but is also about the personal development of every learner in its fullest sense, preparing them for their life as successful, responsible and caring citizens. Part of our role in that preparation is ensuring that we promote and reinforce British Values to our learners.

The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and the DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

At Transition2 these values underpin all that we do and permeate the whole College community. The examples that follow give a flavour of how we seek to embed them. These examples should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.

Democracy

At Transition2, learners are always listened to by their Keyworkers through weekly one to one tutorial meetings. Learners are encouraged by their Keyworkers to reflect on their day/week at College and to be open and honest with what they choose to share. Learners are also encouraged to listen carefully and contribute meaningfully during daily briefing meetings with all staff and learners present. Briefing meetings are managed carefully by staff members to ensure learners develop the skills to respect the right of every individual to have their opinions and voice heard. Transition2 staff encourage learners to be aware of their own voice and to share their own views and opinions with the wider group and to encourage healthy debate. We also encourage learners to take ownership of not only their learning environment but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility, which is demonstrated on a daily basis by our learners. A deeper understanding of democracy is also explored in subjects such as ‘Citizenship’, ‘My Local Community’ and ‘One Page Profile’.

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the College or the country, are consistently reinforced as well as being actively promoted when dealing with any behaviour issues in or outside College. Learners are supported to understand the values and reasons behind laws: that they govern and protect us; the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. External speakers such as the local PCSO are brought in to facilitate workshops with learners on the topic of ‘positive and negative choices’ and the laws attached to everyday decision-making.
Transition2 regularly reviews learner behaviour incidents at College in case conference meetings with staff and learners and, on occasion and where necessary, with additional stakeholders present.