- Learning at Crawshaw
- Year 11 Revision
- The Crawshaw Curriculum
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FBV in English
The English curriculum effectively teaches the Fundamental British Values:
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Democracy is embedded in classroom discussions, debates, and the study of democratic themes in literature.
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The Rule of Law is reinforced through the exploration of justice, fairness, and the consequences of breaking societal rules in literature.
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Individual Liberty is promoted through creative writing, personal expression, and characters’ exploration of personal freedom in texts.
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Mutual Respect is fostered through respectful communication in discussions, group work, and the study of diverse cultures in literature.
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Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs is encouraged by exploring diverse voices, religious and cultural themes, and promoting open-mindedness in discussions and literary analysis.
By embedding these values our English curriculum, students develop critical thinking, empathy, and an appreciation for diversity, preparing them to be respectful and responsible citizens.
In English lessons, we help our students explore how these values are conveyed in nuanced ways through themes, characters, and plotlines. Here’s how some of our texts engage with British values:
Y7: The Bone Sparrow (Zana Fraillon)
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Mutual respect and tolerance: The novel explores the plight of refugees, encouraging readers to develop empathy and tolerance towards different cultures and experiences. Subhi’s friendship with Jimmie reflects mutual respect and the ability to bridge cultural divides.
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Individual liberty: It highlights the lack of freedom faced by refugees and the moral imperative to respect individual liberty.
Y7: Our Day Out (Willy Russell)
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Equality and respect: The play focuses on working-class children and their experiences, critiquing societal structures that deny them opportunities. Characters like Mrs. Kay promote an ethos of respect and equality, while Mr. Briggs represents a more authoritarian approach.
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Democracy: Mrs. Kay’s relaxed, inclusive teaching methods reflect a more democratic approach to education, where children’s voices are valued.
Political Poetry (Year 8) and Power and Conflict Poetry (Year 10) (AQA Anthology)
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Democracy and the abuse of power: Many poems in this anthology explore themes of power, conflict, and social justice, questioning authority and highlighting the human cost of war and political oppression (e.g., "London," "Exposure").
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Tolerance and respect: Poems like "Checking Out Me History" (John Agard) challenge the exclusion of non-European history from British education, promoting cultural tolerance and respect for diversity. In Year 8, students explore poetry from the perspective of marginalised voices throughout history, studying themes of injustice, discrimination and exploitation.
Y9: Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)
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Social mobility and individual liberty: Pip’s journey from poverty to wealth demonstrates the importance of ambition and self-determination, key aspects of individual liberty.
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Mutual respect: Joe, despite his humble origins, exemplifies kindness, respect, and integrity. His relationship with Pip emphasizes respect for people regardless of social class.
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Rule of law: Magwitch's legal struggles and Pip’s relationship with the criminal justice system reveal the complexities of law and justice in Victorian society.
Y9: Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)
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Mutual respect and democracy: Though set in the U.S., the novella touches on values like mutual respect in the relationships between marginalized characters (George and Lennie, Crooks, Candy). The novel also comments on the lack of equality and liberty for the disabled, minorities, and women, which can be compared to British democratic values.
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Tolerance: The racism, ableism, and sexism present in the novel challenge readers to reflect on how tolerance should be extended to all members of society.
GCSE: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson)
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Rule of law and morality: The theme of duality and the consequences of breaking moral and legal boundaries highlights the importance of maintaining social order and personal responsibility.
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Individual liberty: Jekyll’s experiment represents an extreme form of exercising individual liberty, but the catastrophic results show the importance of using freedom responsibly.
GCSE: Romeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare)
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Mutual respect and tolerance: The feud between the Montagues and Capulets is rooted in a lack of tolerance and respect, with the tragic outcome emphasizing the importance of overcoming such divisions.
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Individual liberty: Romeo and Juliet’s desire to pursue love in the face of family opposition reflects the struggle for individual liberty against oppressive social customs.
Across these texts, British values are taught through the examination of societal issues such as class, power, justice, and relationships, helping readers reflect on the importance of democracy, respect, and freedom. Each text presents both the affirmation of these values and the consequences when they are ignored or violated.
- Learning at Crawshaw
- Year 11 Revision
- The Crawshaw Curriculum
- Personal Development
- Subjects
- Homework/Independent learning
- Remote learning
- Exams Information
- Learning Resource Centre
- Post 16 Provision
- Future Ready/CEIAG