British Values and SMSC
Promoting Fundamental British Values
In accordance with The Department for Education we aim to actively promote British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain.
Pupils are encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance and understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
The Key Values are:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
How do we do this at Stanion Primary?
We actively promote British values through
- Focusing on and showing how the school’s work is effective in securing these values
- Challenging pupils, staff or parents who express opinions contrary to British values
Democracy – what do we do?
- Provide pupils with a broad general knowledge of, and promote respect for, public institutions and services
- Teach pupils how they can influence decision-making through the democratic process
- Include in the curriculum information on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain
- Encourage pupils to become involved in decision-making processes and ensure they are listened to in school
- Hold ‘mock elections’ so pupils learn how to argue and defend points of view (KS2)
- Help pupils to express their views
- Model how perceived injustice can be peacefully challenged
- Democracy is shown through history topics such as the Vikings and Saxons
- Circle Time and discussion groups
Rule of law – what do we do?
- Ensure school rules and expectations are clear and fair
- Class rules and celebration of adhering to these rules
- Help pupils to distinguish right from wrong
- Help pupils to respect the law and the basis on which it is made
- Help pupils to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals
- Teach pupils aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws (Year 6)
- Visits from a local Magistrate who conducts a ‘mock trial’ with our Year 5/6 children.
Individual liberty – what do we do?
- Support pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
- Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights
- Model freedom of speech through pupil participation, while ensuring protection of vulnerable pupils and promoting critical analysis of evidence
- Challenge stereotypes implement a strong anti-bullying culture – SEAL theme – ‘Say no to bullying’
- Online-Safety throughout school
Respect and tolerance – what do we do?
- Promote respect for individual differences
- Help pupils to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life
- Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour
- Organise visits to places of worship
- Develop links with faith and other communities through RE and working alongside children and their families
- Learning to disagree in a respectful way
- Develop critical personal thinking skills
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Culture (SMSC)
At Stanion C.E Primary School, we recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures. This is embedded throughout all aspects of school life.
The aims of our SMSC education programme are:
- to enable children to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England.
- to encourage children to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of our school and to society more widely.
- to provide pupils with a rounded education, including learning how to work and play together, understanding and respecting others’ points of view, respecting and applying rules and understanding why these exist.
- to encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
- to encourage pupils to value themselves and their unique contributions to their own and others’ lives, and in turn to value and celebrate others and their qualities and abilities.
- to encourage acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
Designated governor for British Values and SMSC: Mrs Jade Hayes
British Values/SMSC staff coordinator: Mrs Sarah Hankins