SMSC (British Values)

Spritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education 

 

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education (SMSC) is a fundamental part of all learning that takes place at St Margaret’s school. During the school day it is embedded into all lessons and is also promoted at playtime, lunchtime, breakfast club and after school clubs. SMSC focuses on the development of the whole child and embodies our Catholic ethos in which the children can grow and develop to their full potential. The information below provides some extra information on SMSC.

What is Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education?

The Spiritual Development of children is shown by their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, and perspective on life
• Knowledge of, and respect for, different people's faiths, feelings and values
• sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
• use of imagination and creativity in their learning.
• willingness to reflect on their experiences.      

 

The Moral Development of children is shown by their:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, and to recognise legal boundaries and, in doing so, respect the civil and criminal law of England
• understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions               
• interest in investigating, and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

 

The Social Development of children is shown by their:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
• acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British Values. They will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

 

The Cultural Development of children is shown by their:

• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
• understanding and appreciation of the  range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
• knowledge of Britain's democratic Parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
• willingness to participate in, and respond to, for example, artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities. 

SMSC in the Curriculum

In planning for our pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, we recognise that we need to provide as many opportunities as possible for our pupils to engage with culturally rich and diverse experiences. Opportunities to develop SMSC form both part of the formal and informal curriculum, through cross-curricular activities, teaching in RE and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Education).

 

The DfE has reinforced the need ’to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs’

At St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary school we have reflected on what ‘British Values’ means to us and agree that our mission statement and ethos which is based on Love encompasses and promotes all that is expected and to which we aspire everyday. We want our school community to be proud of, and value, where they come from and have a shared understanding of what it means to live and learn in Britain. We seek to nurture this in all we do and ensure that we actively promote mutual respect and value of every person including combating any form of extremism. 

We are committed to serving our community. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom.  We understand and embrace the vital role we have 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.

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 and these values were reiterated in 2014.

 

The British Values are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Acceptance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Democracy

We aim to use the correct language: ‘democracy/democratic’ not ‘vote’

We demonstrate democracy through:

• Pupil voice

• School council

• Voting – eg. for a class names

• Elections 

• Contribution to school policies – eg staff, parents and pupils all consulted on our school values
• Education about community, national and international elections and events in the news

 

The rule of law

We encourage a generally positive attitude to rules which make us safe and happy.

We demonstrate the rule of law through: 

• Our behaviour policy

• School rules

• Visits from police to reinforce the message of right and wrong

• Highlighting the rules of the Church and God in the RE curriculum, for example the 10 commandments and the Precepts of the Church

 

Individual Liberty

We teach children about the importance of each individual’s freedom to make their own choices, including faith and belief 

We demonstrate individual liberty through:

• Having a mission statement that is inclusive

• Constantly promoting respect for others as good manners

• Reinforcing the value of everyone’s opinions in class debates

• Having an effective anti-bullying policy

• Emphasising in RE and RSE lessons, and through assembly themes, that every person is unique and “created in the image of God”

• Having active educational links with other schools, including those locally and across the Trust, and globally through our links with our partner school in Malawi.

• Supporting charitable works such as CAFOD, Mary's Meals, and local food banks

• Encouraging children to be independent in their learning: choosing activities and challenges

• Encouraging children to take responsibility for their own behaviour choices

• Setting clear, safe boundaries which then allow the children to make choices

• Demonstrating that through school policies and actions that all members of the school population are treated equally whatever their beliefs

 

Mutual respect

We encourage a generally positive attitude to rules which make us safe and happy.

We demonstrate mutual respect through:

• Our mission statement, ethos, values and beliefs

• Our relationships

• How we treat and speak to and about each other

• Our courtesy and manners: using each other’s names, how we greet one another, holding the door open for each other

• Looking for what is good as our starting point

• Buddying systems

 

Acceptance of other faiths and beliefs

We teach an 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

We demonstrate acceptance of other faiths and beliefs through:

• Our inclusive mission statement

• Welcoming and valuing those of other faiths and none in our school community

• In Religious Education providing pupils with a deep understanding of their own faith as well as awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities as a basis for understanding and respecting them

• Showing how Jesus encouraged tolerance in stories such as The Good Samaritan and The Women at the Well

• RSE

• Combatting discrimination and prejudice overtly through instruction and example and through story, drama, discussion.

• Having effective equalities and accessibility policies