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British Values

British Values Statement

Guildford County School is committed to serving its community. We recognise the multicultural, multi-faith and ever changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understand the vital role that we play in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

Guildford County School follows equal opportunities guidance which seeks to guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. It is also crucial that Guildford County School prepares its students for adult life, beyond the formal examined curriculum, preparing them for the diverse and dynamic community in which they will live and work. An understanding of British values is a critical part of this education.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011

‘Prevent Strategy’ – values of:

  • democracy
  • the rule of law
  • individual liberty
  • mutual respect
  • tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Guildford County School uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond, including dimensions of PSHE and SMSC, to secure such outcomes for pupils. The examples that follow show some of the ways in which and beyond seeks to embed British Values.

Democracy

  • Elections are held for important decisions within the school community, for example for the School Council and for the Senior Team (Head Girl and Boy and Deputy Head Girl and Boy). This fosters the concept of freedom of speech and group action to address need and concerns.
  • Students are able to vote to choose which charity their House Groups will support.
  • The principle of democracy is explored in History, Government and Politics and

Religious Studies as well as in assemblies where there is frequent commemoration of key global political events, such as the freeing of Nelson Mandela. This helps to develop an understanding of the vital importance of democracy in securing a civilised and fair society for all.

The rule of law

  • Rights and responsibilities are emphasised through our Student Support system, our

House Teams and through work undertaken in PSHE and tutor time.

  • In History students are taught the value, the derivation, and the reasons behind the laws that govern and protect us and by studying events such as the Holocaust demonstrate the potential appalling consequences of the absence of the rule of law.

Individual liberty

  • Students at Guildford County School are encouraged to exercise their right to free speech by sharing their views.
  • Tutor time and PSHE sessions encourage students to know their rights, but also the responsibilities that come with these. Furthermore, staff also work hard to set clear boundaries so that students can make informed choices in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Guildford County School has a clear Anti-Bullying Policy and Behaviour for Learning Policy. 

Mutual Respect

  • Mutual respect is at the heart of ‘The County Way’, our statement of our values and our ethos. We expect all members of the Guildford County School community to treat each other with respect, consideration and integrity. Students learn through their interactions with staff, in assemblies and in tutor time that their behaviour has an impact on others.
  • Students are encouraged to reach out to communities who are less fortunate than themselves and each year we raise thousands of pounds for projects around the world, demonstrating the respect that our children have for those who live in very different circumstances to themselves.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

  • Tolerance is emphasised through our Student Support Programme and through our daily interactions with each other.
  • Students benefit from the opportunity to visit different communities around the country and the world and receive international visitors regularly, including those from other continents and cultures.
  • Our assembly themes, the Lower and Upper School RE curriculum and the whole school enrichment programme provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
  • We encourage students to understand their place within a culturally diverse society and above all to ensure that they leave Guildford County School with a set of values which will ensure that they continue to contribute positively to society as they enter adult life.

 

News

20th August 2026

GCSE Results 2026

Today has been a wonderful reminder of what makes County such a special community.  Our Particular thanks go to our Exams Team, whose considerable work behind the scenes ensured that this morning ran so smoothly and to our Sixth Form Team for managing the significant task of enrolment with such efficiency and care.  We also thank the many colleagues who came into school during their holiday to distribute results, speak with students and families, offer advice and, of course, to share in their celebrations.  Your presence matters enormously to our young people. Mr Steve Smith, Headteacher, commented that, ‘There will, rightly, be time for detailed analysis.  We will want to understand where outcomes have exceeded our expectations, where they have matched them and where they have fallen short.  That process is important because it helps us to become better at what we do.  What matters is that we approach it with the same openness and professional curiosity that colleagues have demonstrated today.’ He went on to say that, ‘Already, some really valuable conversations have begun about what we can learn from this year’s outcomes.  Our continued focus on the quality of classroom practice, the design and sequencing of our curriculum and strong partnerships with families, particularly when a child is beginning to fall behind, remains central to our work.  Alongside this, coaching gives us an increasingly powerful way to support one another in refining our craft.  It is through the disciplined, consistent application of these things that we will continue to improve outcomes for every child.  For the part that every one of you has played in these results, thank you.  GCSE outcomes may be published against individual subjects and students, but the education of a child is never the work of one teacher or one department.  It is a collective endeavour and today's successes belong to colleagues across the school.  And there are some exceptional individual successes to celebrate.’ Among a very strong set of performances, special recognition goes to the following students, each of whom achieved an average grade of at least 8 across their GCSEs: Alice Mala Feriel Grace Annabelle Alyssa Molly Daniel Edward Emilia Ada Liam Alice Jade Lauren We are also immensely proud of 13 students in Years 9 to 13 who achieved outstanding results in their Heritage Language examinations, including 3 out of the 6 taking a GCSE who gained a grade 9 and 5 out of the 7 taking an A level who gained an A* grade. Congratulations to them all. Mr Smith, concluded by saying, ‘While these headline successes deserve particular recognition, I am equally conscious that there will be many students whose names do not appear above but for whom today's results represent something deeply significant.  For some, a grade 4 secured after considerable perseverance will mean every bit as much as a grade 9 does for another.  Progress, resilience and achievement take many forms and I hope that our students leave us knowing that we recognise and value them all.  Today, then, brings one chapter of their education to a close.  I am tremendously proud of the Year 11 Class of 2026 and all that they have achieved during their time with us.  For those moving elsewhere, we wish them every happiness and success.  For the many who will continue their journey at Guildford County Sixth Form, for which we are still warmly accepting applications, alongside the new students who will join us in September, we look forward to welcoming them back for the next stage.  As pleased as we should be today, our ambition does not change. As we begin a new academic year, we will continue to strive for excellence for every child, ensuring that learning remains at the heart of our work and that County is a school in which every young person knows that they have a place and genuinely feels that they belong.  That work requires expertise, high expectations and relentless attention to the quality of education we provide. It also requires the care and dedication that I see from colleagues every day.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s results and, more importantly, for everything that they have done for the young people behind them.’  Read Full Article
13th August 2026

A Level Results 2026

Today has given us the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our outgoing Year 13 students and the culmination of two years of hard work, determination and commitment.  Their results, the best at A level in our school’s history, reflect not only their own considerable efforts, but also the expertise, care and high expectations of the many colleagues who have taught, guided and supported them throughout their time in our Sixth Form. Sincere thanks go to our Sixth Form and Exams teams for the enormous amount of work that goes into preparing for results day and for ensuring that this morning ran so smoothly.  Thank you, too, to the many colleagues who came in early to help with the distribution of results and, importantly, to be there to congratulate, reassure and support our students as they considered their next steps. Headteacher, Steve Smith, said, 'There was a real sense of positivity around school this morning.  Alongside celebrating what has been achieved, I was particularly pleased by the quality of the professional conversations already taking place about the year ahead.  Colleagues were rightly proud of the considerable strengths within this year’s results, while also being keen to look beneath the headline figures, identify those areas in which we can improve further and consider how we secure even stronger outcomes for our new Year 13 students in the summer of 2027.' Mr Smith went on to comment, 'That balance is important.  We should take genuine pride in excellent outcomes and recognise the expertise and commitment that have made them possible.  Equally, our expectations of ourselves and of our students must remain exceptionally high.  Our ambition is always to improve and our collective drive for excellence must remain unrelenting.' 'Taken as a whole, this year’s results are truly exceptional.  They represent an enormous achievement for our students and for the colleagues who have supported them.  My genuine thanks and congratulations go to everyone who has contributed.  The table below provides the detail of our headline outcomes for your interest.' Of course, behind every percentage and headline figure sits an individual student and it is important that we do not lose sight of that. For some of our young people, the results received today represent the culmination of an extraordinary personal journey.  Their achievements have been made possible through their own hard work, alongside the expertise of their teachers and the support, encouragement and challenge provided by colleagues across the school and through our Governance model. We would like to congratulate all of our students for what they have achieved.  There are many individual successes of which we can be extremely proud and I share some of those with you here: Felix - A* A* A Nathan - A* A* A Aidan - A* A* A Aaron - A* A* A* Hannah - A* A* A Lara - A* A* A Anuthmie - A* A* A Oliver - A* A* A Lauren - A* A* A B Dylan - A* A* A A Douglas - A* A* A* Isabel - A* A* A* A* There are equally some wonderful stories within our students’ destinations data this year, whether they are progressing to university, competitive courses, apprenticeships, employment or other exciting opportunities. 88% of our cohort applied to university and 44% of our applicants, at time of writing, have gained entry into a Russell Group insututution. Further, we have three Conservatoire and three Oxbridge entrants. Our congratulations to them all. Conservatoire Felix  Leah  Jamie Oxbridge Noah  Oliver  Isobel  Results day is inevitably focused on grades, but today is about considerably more than a set of letters on a page.  It marks the conclusion of an important chapter in the lives of our students and the beginning of another.  We should be immensely proud of the young adults who leave us this summer, of what they have achieved and of the contribution that they have made to our school community. It is therefore a great pleasure to congratulate the Sixth Form Class of 2026 and to wish them every success and happiness as they take their next steps.  I very much hope that many will remain connected to the school through our alumni community, allowing us to follow and celebrate their achievements in the years ahead.  Read Full Article
26th June 2026

Proposed Crossing outside Guildford County School - Road Safety Consultation

The safety of our students, staff and wider community is always a key priority and this proposed crossing has the potential to make a significant difference to the safety of everyone travelling to and from school. We would be extremely grateful if you could take a few moments to scan the QR code on the attached poster and complete the consultation. It is vital that as many members of our school community as possible share their views so that Surrey County Council can fully understand the importance of this proposal. The consultation closes on Friday 24th July 2026, so please do respond before this date. Read Full Article
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