SMSC and British Values

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC)  including British Values Policy

Introduction

At Hatton School we recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritual, moral, social and cultural education (SMSC) including British values plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve.  It is supported and complemented by Religious Education, which includes daily Acts of Collective Worship (see separate RE and Acts of Collective Worship policy) and PSHE (see separate PSHE policy).  SMSC is a dimension of the whole school experience which makes the curriculum relevant, stimulating, creative and fun. It enriches the curriculum and the ethos of Hatton School.

Aims

At Hatton School we aim to provide an education that provides pupils with opportunities to explore and develop:

• their own values and beliefs,
• their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• spiritual awareness,
• high standards of personal behaviour,
• the ability to distinguish right from wrong
• a positive, caring attitude towards other people,
• an understanding and appreciation of their own and others social and cultural traditions
• encourage students 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 the school and to society more widely;
• a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
• an understanding and respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes  

Entitlement

It is a legal requirement to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC). Every pupil at Hatton School has access SMSC regardless of race, gender, faith, needs or ability.

As a Rights Respecting school this policy links directly to articles 3, 12, 13, 15, 16, 23, 28, 29, 30 & 31:

“Article 3 -The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all things that affect children.

Article 12 - Children have the right to say what they think.

Article 13 - Children have the right to freedom and expression.

Article 15 - Children have the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people form enjoying their rights.

Article 16 - Children have a right to privacy.

Article 23 - Children who have any kind of disability have the right to live full and independent lives.

Article 28 - All children have the right to education.

Article 29 - All children have a right to an education which should develop each child’s personality, talents and abilities to the fullest

Article 30 - Every child has the right to learn and use language, customs and religion of their family, whether or not these are shared by the majority of the people in the country where they live.

Article 31 - Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.” (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)

Implementation

In School we promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance towards those with different faiths and beliefs.

• We place a great emphasis on communication and in supporting students to make choices and have their opinion heard.
• We encourage students to have their say in matters that concern them in school. We do this by having an active student council.
• All staff are 5P Approach trained. They support and encourage students to manage their own behaviour and develop positive attitudes towards each other.
• All students have a ‘Green Zone’, which indicates what the school puts in place to ensure the pupils are calm and ready to learn. Many students in school have an intervention hierarchy (behaviour plan) in place.
• As a school we are actively involved within our local community. A large part of our community work is supporting students to develop their knowledge of how to act in a socially appropriate manner in different settings and how to recognise dangers and to keep themselves safe when out and about in the community.
• Hatton School is a UNICEF 'Rights Respecting School' and has been awarded Level 1. As part of our aims to promote a happy and successful school, we will continue to work as a UNICEF “Rights Respecting School”.
• These values are also embedded within our curriculum across all Key Stages.  

As there is no discrete lesson for SMSC the evidence of the 4 strands are across a range of activities in the school day/year

 For more detailed information please click on and download the document below