Promoting British Values at Ridgeway Secondary School
A Foundation for Life in Modern Britain
At Ridgeway Secondary School, we are deeply committed to promoting the fundamental British Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect, and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs. These values are embedded throughout school life and underpin our mission to develop students into responsible, respectful, and active citizens.
Carefully Sequenced and Delivered Assemblies
Our assembly programme is thoughtfully sequenced to ensure students engage with key societal issues and values in a timely and meaningful way. Each half term, assemblies are planned around core themes including democracy, justice, equality, remembrance, and social responsibility.
Recent topics have included:
- Remembrance Day – honouring those who served and reflecting on peace and conflict
- Black History Month – celebrating contributions of Black Britons and exploring historical and contemporary issues
- The General Election – educating students about democratic participation and encouraging political literacy
- Holocaust Memorial Day – fostering empathy, remembrance and understanding of past atrocities
These assemblies are delivered by senior leaders, pastoral staff and external speakers, ensuring depth, variety and relevance.
High-Quality PSHE Curriculum
Our R360 personal development curriculum includes a carefully mapped PSHE programme, delivered through dedicated curriculum time by trained staff. The curriculum covers:
- Understanding the legal and political systems in the UK
- Developing critical thinking and debating skills
- Promoting equality, inclusivity and respect
- Recognising and challenging discrimination and prejudice
Topics are revisited and deepened year-on-year, helping students form a strong, age-appropriate understanding of how British Values apply in everyday life.
Enrichment Weeks Focused on Real-World Themes
To enhance learning beyond the classroom, Ridgeway runs enrichment weeks throughout the academic year. These weeks offer immersive, cross-curricular opportunities to explore themes tied to British Values and global affairs. Examples include:
- Democracy Week – including mock elections, debates, and student-led discussions
- Remembrance and D-Day – with historical workshops, veteran guest speakers, and creative arts projects
- D-Day and its importance in British history – assemblies, themed reading activities and engaging with the local British legion.
These experiences help students connect their learning to the wider world and develop respect, tolerance and empathy for others.
Student Leadership and Voice
We believe British Values are best learned through active participation. That’s why our student leadership body, including the School Council and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, is elected democratically and plays a vital role in shaping school life. Students meet regularly to discuss school-wide issues and drive positive change—mirroring the democratic structures of wider society.
A Whole-School Commitment
At Ridgeway, British Values are more than a curriculum requirement—they are central to our school culture. They are modelled by staff, celebrated in students, and evident in every aspect of school life. From our respectful corridors to our inclusive clubs and enrichment opportunities, we aim to build not only academically successful students, but engaged, informed and principled citizens of tomorrow.