What is SMSC and what are British Values?

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must show how well their pupils develop in SMSC. At Joseph Turner Primary, SMSC is at the forefront of everything that we do and perforates our curriculum at every given opportunity. 

Spiritual

• Explore beliefs and experience; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.

Moral 

• Recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.

Social

• Use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the 'British Values‘ of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance.

Cultural

• Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

Promoting Fundamental British Values

The government has defined fundamental British values as being: democracy; individual liberty; the rule of law; mutual respect; tolerance of those with different faiths and belief. These values are central to our school ethos and are promoted not only through the curriculum and its content but through every aspect of school life including pupils’ experiences, displays, our values education approach, assemblies, pupil governance, the behaviour recovery system and extra-curricular clubs and activities. Each of the British Values is defined below and placed in a school context through the use of examples.

Democracy

Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems.

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

· The free and fair electoral process for pupil governors. Pupils elect peers to represent them.

· Pupil Voice on key school decisions through questionnaires and pupil conversations.

· Pupils encouraged to use their voice across the curriculum through collaborative working, responses to teacher feedback, orally and in books, careful questioning by staff and classroom dialogue.

Individual Liberty

Individual liberty suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside Government control. In school we promote the importance of individual liberty through such things as:

· Pupils are introduced to a range of beliefs and experiences so that they are able to make more informed choices for themselves.

· Pupils are taught knowledge and skills to broaden the choices they are empowered to make about future work, travel and education.

· Pupils are encouraged to voice views in lessons in a formative manner.

· Opportunities to engage in extra-curricular activities and clubs, including extended studies.

· Elements of choice of school meals within healthy boundaries.

Rule of Law

All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. In school we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:

· Clear rules and expectations with assemblies and displays to reinforce these.  

· The Behaviour Policy and the Behaviour Recovery system.

· Marking and feedback, as well as homework, set clear boundaries which are explained clearly to pupils.

· Accountability is stressed to all stakeholders including staff (teacher’s standards and professional code of conduct), pupils and parents (home school agreement).

· We liaise closely with outside agencies including social services and police.

· The acceptable user policy and home-school internet user agreement is used to promote correct use of the internet.

Mutual Respect

The proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated.

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

· Behaviour Recovery – clear guidance on good behaviour.

- We are a non-shouting school and pride ourselves on having high levels of emotional literacy. 

· Values approach to our curriculum.

· School ethos, motto and mission statement.

· The publishing and enforcement of a smart dress code for pupils and staff [uniform].

· Wellbeing promotes mutual respect through the skills developed in sessions/ assemblies and the repetition of related content across the Values education approach.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

A fair, objective, and permissive attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own. In school we promote the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through such things as:

· We are a diverse learning community and this is part of our school ethos of working together. Our ethos is celebrated through the school environment, assemblies, curriculum and events.

· RE is taught to all pupils from Reception to Year 6.

· The curriculum helps pupils to learn about a wide range of people, cultures and beliefs and so develops their ability to make informed decisions, form and be confident in their own identity and understand and respect that of others.

· Assemblies celebrate and draw inspiration from festivals and teachings from a range of different faiths.

For further information, please access our SMSC and British Values Policy by visiting the Policies menu. 

An easy way to remember the fundamental British Values that we teach is by using your hand! This approach is taught to the children across all year groups to ensure that these key values are remembered.