The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014

PART 2 E+W Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

5.  The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor— E+W

(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs;

(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which—

(i) enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;

(ii) enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;

(iii) encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality in which the school is situated and to society more widely;

(iv) enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;

(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;

(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and

(vii) encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England;

(c) precludes the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school; and

(d) takes such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils—

(i) while they are in attendance at the school,

(ii) while they are taking part in extra-curricular activities which are provided or organised by or on behalf of the school, or

(iii) in the promotion at the school, including through the distribution of promotional material, of extra-curricular activities taking place at the school or elsewhere,

they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.