Spiritual development is concerned with how a student develops personal values and beliefs, a willingness to reflect, an ability to communicate these beliefs in discussion and through their behaviour, an understanding of the value and role of faith and religion in societies. Spiritual development will instill a tolerance of other people. It includes imagination, inspiration and creativity, as well as an awareness of self-identify and self-worth.

We promote spiritual development as part of a student’s personal development through:

• Promoting reflection as part of our routine learning
• Rewards
• PSHE lessons
• Religious Education
• Assemblies
• Retaining breadth in the curriculum

Moral development is concerned with students’ knowledge, understanding, intentions, attitudes and behaviour in relation to right and wrong within the accepted codes of our society. Their knowledge and awareness of values and attitudes of individuals and society as a whole and socially acceptable codes of behaviour is important. The quality of relationships that students experience, the standards of behaviour in our school form a basis of any judgment on moral development as well as the extent to which students show an understanding of the difference between right and wrong, respect for people, truth and property, a concern for how their actions may affect others, the ability to make responsible judgements on moral issues and  personal conduct that they take responsibility for their own actions.

At our school we promote moral development through a range of activities and opportunities both within and outside the classroom such as:

• Working with teachers and form tutors collaboratively
• The PSHE Curriculum
• The curriculum across all subjects
• Assemblies
• Rewards and sanctions
• Welfare and guidance

Social development is concerned with developing the skills and personal qualities necessary for individuals to live and function effectively in our society. Social development is based on the acceptance of group rules and the ability to see oneself in a wider context. The quality of relationships in school is crucial in forming students’ attitudes to good social behaviour and self-discipline. The school systematically plans for the social development of students through:

• Classroom organisation and management
• Seating plans and opportunities for group work
• School Council
• Prefect and mentor systems
• Educational Visits, including overseas
• The PSHE Curriculum Links with Further and Higher Education Providers
• Co-curricular activities
• Aspects of the curriculum such as Politics A-Level.

A student’s cultural development refers to an understanding of those values, beliefs, customs, knowledge and skills which link groups together and give people a sense of identity. At our school we seek to develop in students an understanding and awareness of their culture within a multi-cultural society and encourage personal values and self-esteem. Our curriculum provides experiences of all aspects of culture including languages, aesthetic, mathematical, literacy, technological, scientific, musical, political, economic, citizenship and religious education.

There are opportunities for cultural activities and visits:

• Creative and Performing Arts as part of the curriculum for all students at KS3
• Cultural visits
• Visits to centres of cultural interest
• Co-curricular activities
• Mock elections/Bucks Youth Forum
• Charity and fundraising activities

In addition to developing spiritual, moral, social and cultural opportunities for students, we also ensure that the British Values of democracy, the rules of law, individual liberty and respect/tolerance permeate the work of the school.

At BHS, British values are embedded in our curriculum through subjects as well as through explicit teaching in PSHE lessons in Years 7-11.  British Values are also ‘taught’ through our tutor activities, assemblies and wider co-curricular opportunities.  The values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs are framed in a universal, as well as a British, context.  We have a global citizen approach to British Values.

At BHS, the value of democracy is embedded within our understanding of our rights and responsibilities as citizens.  At school, we give students the chance to develop an understanding of active, responsible citizenship through abiding by the school's rules and seeing how their voice can be heard within lessons, the tutor and House system and through the Student Council.  Our oldest students are asked to give their opinion as to who would best represent them on the prefect body and all tutor groups elect Student Council Representatives and Form Captains.  We run mock elections when appropriate giving a taste of the democratic process.  Curriculum areas will discuss and investigate other forms of government across the world.  We celebrate Parliament Week every year through assemblies and tutor time activities as well as our annual acknowledgement of Remembrance, Holocaust Memorial and other significant national occasions.

An understanding of the importance of the rule of law comes through being part of a community regulated by rules that protect all of us.  During PSHE and through specific subjects such as History and English, students are able to explore the importance of living in a society in which the rule of law is respected.  Assemblies are also used to reinforce this message, and to help students to interpret national and international affairs.  At key points in their journey through secondary school, students are specifically introduced to their responsibilities under the law - with regard to issues such as consent, drugs, alcohol and driving.

Students at BHS are given the opportunity to exercise individual liberty through being free to make choices, but understanding that their choices come with responsibility. 

Our students are provided with a knowledge and understanding of different world faiths through RS lessons in Key Stage 3 and through assemblies that explore major festivals and their significance to members of our community.  The value of Respect underpins our core school values, and our students understand what it means to be respectful and tolerant of others.

The school seeks opportunities to draw links between British Values and curriculum subjects wherever possible to enhance students’ learning. This is reviewed within our Subject Intents and Curriculum Audit documents.