The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the children and the promotion of British Values takes place across the curriculum.
Spiritual development encourages the children to reflect on their beliefs, religious or otherwise, and reflect on their experiences, and to try and answer some of life’s fundamental questions. The use of imagination, creativity, and a sense of fascination in learning about themselves and the world around them is developed.
Moral development encourages the children to recognise the difference between right and wrong; to have a concern for others and develop and to understand the consequences of their actions. They are helped to think about moral and ethical issues and to think about the views of others in these matters.
Social development encourages the children to work and socialise with others and to relate to those from different backgrounds; religious, ethnic and socio-economic, and they are helped to understand and accept fully the British Values in order to participate fully and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Cultural development encourages the children to understand and appreciate the wider range of cultures in their local community and further afield. They are taught to respect different faiths and diversity in local, national and global communities. The children are also encouraged to take part in artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities.
British Values are promoted so that the children can be prepared for life in modern Britain. They are helped to accept and engage with the fundamental values of Democracy, The Rule of law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
British Values & The Prevention of Radicalisation
BRITISH VALUES
The Department of Education have 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 and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister this year. At Holy Trinity these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy
At St Mary’s democracy is taken very seriously. Children are actively encouraged to have a voice and share their views and opinions regularly. Our active School Council and House Captain teams are such examples. Every September, we have an election week when the candidates for class representatives on the school council pitch their election manifesto to the rest of their class and Year 6 put themselves forward to hold the leadership role of representing their house.
A secret ballot ensues and the results are announced in a special assembly. The children love this process and have great respect for the outcomes. The school council representatives (2 per class from Yr 1 to Year 6) meet regularly and take the ideas from the meeting back to their classes for discussion.
Governors also talk to children to establish their views as a way of ensuring that school self-evaluation is robust and accurate, and therefore effective in moving the school forward.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Children are 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. Our schools rules, rewards and sanctions which are displayed in all classrooms, referred to regularly and consistently upheld are a practical example of this.
Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within school, children are actively encouraged to make decisions and choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for young children to take risks and make choices safely. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it be through choice of learning challenge, how they record their learning, participation in one of our extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, children are given the freedom to make choices and make decisions.
Mutual Respect
As a Church of England School, mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.
Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
St Mary’s is situated in rural Shropshire with links to RAF Shawbury therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. Assemblies are regularly planned to address this issue either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures. Our RE and PSHE teaching reinforce this. Each year, the children explore a world faith alongside their learning about Christianity. By the time they leave us all children have learnt about the beliefs and practices of people of the following world faiths. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
At St Mary’s we will actively challenge children, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including those expressing ‘extremist’ views.
PREVENTING RADICALISATION AND EXTREMISM
Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind.
Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.
At St Mary’s we have a zero tolerance approach to extremist behaviour for all school community members. We rely on our strong values to steer our work and ensure the pastoral care of our children protects them from exposure to negative influences.
St Mary’s is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its children. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. At St Mary’s all staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
- Children are encouraged to adopt and live out our Core Values. These complement the key “British Values” of tolerance, respect, understanding, compassion and harmonious living.
- Children are helped to understand the importance of democracy and freedom of speech, through the assemblies and through the elected School Council members.
- Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, in school and when using the internet.
- Children participate in local community events so that they appreciate and value their neighbours and friends who may not share their faith background.
- Children’s wellbeing, confidence and resilience is promoted through our planned curriculum and extra-curricular learning opportunities.
- Children are supported in making good choices from a very young age, so they understand the impact and consequences of their actions on others.
THE ROLE OF THE CURRICULUM
Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. Children are encouraged to express themselves through discussions, debates and consultations. The RE (Religious Education), PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education), Citizenship and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision is embedded across the curriculum, and underpins the ethos of our school. Children learn about all major faiths and visit places of worship wherever possible. They are also taught about how to stay safe when using the internet.
Celebrating SMSC and British Values
SMSC and British Values are embedded into everything we do and celebrated across our Creative Curriculum.
All of these are experienced in a variety of activities, including discussions , circle times, assemblies, visitors, workshops, school values and specific lessons.