The role of Democracy is embedded throughout the Academy. Pupils are given many opportunities to voice their own opinions and make changes across the Academy. Our students are taught to respect the right of every individual through our PSHE and Engaging Minds curriculum, students are encouraged to have their own opinions whilst respecting others views allowing thoughts to be heard. The introduction of the House system and its vertical councils allows students to meet, air and share their views and concerns to improve the students experience at SWA. The councils and their prefect teams, including the Head Boy and Girl are elected by pupils and staff, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action annually.

The Academy promotes the importance of democracy through such things as:

• School council and House councils give students a voice on key areas of school life
• Mock Elections
• Voice on key areas of school life
• Student prefects in departments
• Students as learning partners
• Student panels in all job interviews
• Students have written the Student Charter
• Student panels at Governors meetings

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, will be consistently reinforced. Pupils will be taught the value and reasons behind laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. School assemblies and visits from authorities such as the Police, Plan B and Brook help reinforce this message. 

At SWA we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:

• The Behaviour Code of Conduct
• Liason with outside agencies including Social Services and the Police when necessary
• E-safety days
• Students are explicitly taught the legal framework on a number of contemporary and social issues
• Safeguarding policy
• Peer led PSHE fortnights

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. Students can access the use of student services at any time time and with the support of Pastoral support workers, the inclusion officer, school councillors and if needs be outside agencies students feel have that they are supported and listened to. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. They are regularly advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e safety days, tutor times engaging minds lessons and our sixth form led sexual education fortnight where we tackle gender issues and the stigmas attached. Whether it be through our curriculum options that we offer or what our students choose to participate in from our numerous enrichment activities and house competitions, pupils are given the freedom to make choices that they will benefit from throughout their lives.

Mutual respect is fundamental at Samuel Whitbread Academy. Our students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others around them. This is evident when walking around the Academy and in the classrooms. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is clearly seen throughout the various relationships between students and staff.

In school we promote the importance of mutual respect through such things as:

• Behaviour policy and Code of Conduct
• School Equality Duty and Equal Opportunities policies
• Clear guidance on good behaviour in public areas such as the Canteen and on social media
• The curriculum helps students to learn about a wide range of people, cultures and beliefs and so develops students' ability to make informed decisions, form and be confident in their own identity and understand and respect that of others
• Assemblies

Our Academy welcomes all children and families and promotes diversity. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Assemblies are regularly planned to address and celebrate different beliefs and cultures.

Our MPSRE engaging minds, tutor times and day to day teaching reinforce this and members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.