Safeguarding and fundamental British Values in the School Inspection Handbook

Prevent Education Leaders Conference: Luton 5 November 2015

Andrew Cook

Regional Director East of England

Advice note provided on academies and maintained schools in Birmingham to the Secretary of State for Education

Birmingham City Council has failed to support a number of schools in their efforts to keep pupils safe from the potential risks of radicalisation and extremism. It has not dealt adequately with complaints from headteachers about the conduct of governors.

Taken from: Advice note on academies and maintained schools in Birmingham 9 June 2014

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-note-on-academies-and-maintained-schools-in-birmingham

Advice note provided on academies and maintained schools in Birmingham to the Secretary of State for Education

Although the test and examination results in many of the schools were good or improving, the curriculum has become too narrow and pupils are not being prepared well enough for life in modern Britain. It is my view that the active promotion of a narrow set of values and beliefs in some of the schools is making children vulnerable to segregation and emotional dislocation from wider society.

Advice note provided on academies and maintained schools in Birmingham to the Secretary of State for Education

Often, the curriculum, culture and values now promoted in these schools reflect the personal views of a small number of governors. However, they do not reflect those of the wider community in Birmingham and beyond. They do not ensure that a broad and balanced curriculum equips pupils to live and work in a multi-cultural, multi-faith and democratic Britain. As a result, children are not being encouraged to develop tolerant attitudes towards all faiths and all cultures.

Safeguarding

How effective is leadership and management in: 1.ensuring pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and, within this, the promotion of fundamental British values, are at the heart of the school’s work2.ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum3.promoting equality4.keeping pupils safe from radicalisation and extremism.

skills and attitudes that will allow pupils to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

How effective is leadership and management in: 1.ensuring pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and, within this, the promotion of fundamental British values, are at the heart of the school’s work2.ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum3.promoting equality4.keeping pupils safe from radicalisation and extremism.

These strands are set into the guidance and judgement criteria set out in the School Inspection Handbook Published August 2015 Reference no: 150066 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-inspection-handbook-from-september-2015

Also helpful:Promoting fundamental British values through SMSC from the Department for EducationFirst published:27 November 2014

This document provides DfE advice on promoting basic important British values as part of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) developmenthttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-fundamental-british-values-through-smsc

Defining spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

School Inspection Handbook August 2015 page 36

Effectiveness of leadership and management

In making this judgement in schools, inspectors will consider:the design, implementation and evaluation of the curriculum, ensuring breadth and balance and its impact on pupils’ outcomes and their personal, development, behaviour and welfare

how well the school prepares pupils positively for life in modern Britain and promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith

School Inspection Handbook August 2015 page 38 and 39

Effectiveness of leadership and management

In making this judgement in schools, inspectors will consider:how well leaders and governors promote all forms of equality and foster greater understanding of and respect for people of all faiths (and those of no faith), races, genders, ages, disability and sexual orientations (and other groups with protected characteristics ), through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community

the effectiveness of leaders’ and governors’ work to raise awareness and keep pupils safe from the dangers of abuse, sexual exploitation, radicalisation and extremism and what the staff do when they suspect that pupils are vulnerable to these issues.

School Inspection Handbook August 2015 page 38 and 39

Effectiveness of leadership and management (SMSC/FBV)

Outstanding: Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and, within this, the promotion of fundamental British values, are at the heart of the school’s work. Good: Leaders consistently promote fundamental British values and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

School Inspection Handbook August 2015 Pages 42 & 43

Effectiveness of leadership and management (curriculum)

Outstanding: The broad and balanced curriculum inspires pupils to learn. The range of subjects and courses helps pupils acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in all aspects of their education, including the humanities and linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technical, social, physical and artistic learning. Good: The broad and balanced curriculum provides a wide range of opportunities for pupils to learn. The range of subjects and courses helps pupils acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in all aspects of their education, including the humanities and linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technical, social, physical and artistic learning. This supports pupils’ good progress. The curriculum also contributes well to pupils’ behaviour and welfare, including their physical, mental and personal well-being, safety and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

School Inspection Handbook August 2015 Pages 42 & 43

Effectiveness of leadership and management (equalities)

Outstanding: Leaders promote equality of opportunity and diversity exceptionally well, for pupils and staff, so that the ethos and culture of the whole school prevents any form of direct or indirect discriminatory behaviour. Leaders, staff and pupils do not tolerate prejudiced behaviour.

Good: Leaders promote equality of opportunity and diversity, resulting in a positive school culture. Staff and pupils work together to prevent any form of direct or indirect discriminatory behaviour. Leaders, staff and pupils do not tolerate prejudiced behaviour.

Effectiveness of leadership and management (safeguarding)

Outstanding: Leaders’ work to protect pupils from radicalisation and extremism is exemplary. Leaders respond swiftly where pupils are vulnerable to these issues. High quality training develops staff’s vigilance, confidence and competency to challenge pupils’ views and encourage debate.

Good: Leaders protect pupils from radicalisation and extremism. Staff are trained and are increasingly vigilant, confident and competent to encourage open discussion with pupils.

School Inspection Handbook August 2015 Pages 42 & 43

Effectiveness of leadership and management

Leadership and management are inadequate if any one of the following apply:

The unbalanced and poorly taught curriculum fails to meet the needs of pupils or particular groups of pupils. The range of subjects is narrow and does not prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain.Leaders and governors, through their words, actions or influence, directly and/or indirectly, undermine or fail to promote equality of opportunity. They do not prevent discriminatory behaviour and prejudiced actions and views. Leaders and governors are not protecting pupils from radicalisation and extremist views when pupils are vulnerable to these. Policy and practice are poor, which means pupils are at risk.

School Inspection Handbook August 2015 page 44

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

Inspectors will make a judgement on the effectiveness of teaching, learning and assessment in schools which includes evaluating the extent to which the teachers’ standards are being met.

Teachers Standards: personal and professional conduct includes: having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisionsshowing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others not undermining fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.

Safeguarding

How effective is leadership and management in: 1.ensuring pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and, within this, the promotion of fundamental British values, are at the heart of the school’s work2.ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum3.promoting equality4.keeping pupils safe from radicalisation and extremism.

skills and attitudes that will allow pupils to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

Our regional priorities

East of England regional priorities 2015/16