British Values

We have had the privilege of developing the minds of future generations of Lowestoft for over one hundred years. It is our ambition to ensure that our students understand their place on a local, national and global scale.

As part of this, we provide opportunities for students to learn and demonstrate the values expressed by their country.

In Year 7 and 8, through Religious Studies and PSHE lessons, students are encouraged to reflect on who they are. Through our integrated humanities curriculum, students also develop an understanding of the story of Britain and of the world around them.

In Year 9, through our PSHE programme, we help students to explore their obligations to their country in the form of politics, economics and charity. This course has been designed to respond to the issues that our students have asked for help with.

In all years, students are given opportunities to reflect on the key British values, as they are experienced within our academy. Whether this is through our bespoke assembly programme or form time programme, enrichment offer or key speakers, or the high quality curriculum which has been tailored to the needs of our students.

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Ormiston Denes. Democratic processes are regularly used for important decisions within the school community, from selecting our student leadership representatives to having the final say in the colour of our new school uniform. The principle of democracy is also explored in the history and religious studies curriculum, as well as in form time and assemblies.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Ormiston Denes. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are reinforced through consistent expectations, regular assemblies and the student code of conduct.

Students are also taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Our PSHE programme explicitly supports this and uses external speakers to reinforce our message.

Students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Praxis lessons offer students space and freedom to discuss and debate current issues and world-influencing literature and ideas.
Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through digital safeguarding (online safety) and form time work.

Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.

Respect is one of our three core values at Ormiston Denes. Students learn that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the academy community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its 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 through frank, open discussions in PSHE and religious studies.

Tolerance is taught through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community. Students benefit from a number of international visitors, including students from other continents and cultures.

Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year.

Throughout all elements of an Ormiston Denes education, we help students to:

  • Develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • Distinguish right from wrong and to respect English law.
  • Accept responsibility for their behaviour.
  • Show initiative and contribute positively to society.
  • Acquire a broad general knowledge of, and respect for, English public institutions and services.
  • Appreciate and respect their own and other cultures.