Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Developments and Fundamental British Values – SMSC
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 pupils 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 own social and cultural traditions and identity, and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of a range of cultures.
This is a whole school issue.
All curriculum areas have a contribution to make to a child’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and opportunities for this is planned into the curriculum each half term.
Fundamental British Values
The Department for Education’s five-part definition of British values is:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy
Democracy forms an important part of life at Brampton Primary. We have an active Rights Respecting School Council, from KS1 and KS2, who meet weekly to discuss how to promote and advocate for children’s rights, and find ways to ensure that the school continues to support all pupils to become the best that they can be.
The Rights Respecting School Council are responsible for raising matters that the children have discussed in their weekly class councils and they ensure that the relevant member of staff hears the feedback. For example, the Rights Respecting School Council collected information about lunch choices and, as a result of their findings, coloured bands were introduced to ensure that all pupils received the meal that they wanted for lunch. Recently, the members of the Rights Respecting School Council visited the Houses of Parliament to learn about democracy and how the country is governed. They were privileged to be able to meet with the MP for East Ham, Sir Stephen Timms.
Additionally, our school building is used as a polling station for elections, whilst still being able to have the children in school, giving them the opportunity to gain some understanding of how voting works. We are also the venue for members of the public to attend consultation meetings every Saturday with our local councillor for East Ham South, Cllr Susan Masters, who is also one of our governors.
In addition, we have a monthly newsletter to communicate with parents and carers, have an EYFS handbook containing information about the school ethos and values for new parents and carers, and a website with access to school policies.
The rule of law
As part of our teaching of the Brampton curriculum, we learn about British and international history, and how some countries are run. We learn about rules in sport/games as part of our PE lessons and have visits from the police and fire brigade to learn about rules in our community.
We have a statement of values and a policy for discipline and behaviour, sanctions and rewards.
Individual liberty
Brampton Primary ensures every individual achieves their best through high expectations for all in all areas of the school. Through our PSHE education and through our assemblies, we help the children to develop an understanding of human and children’s rights and responsibilities. We have applied for the Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award to demonstrate this further.
Our school policies incorporate individual liberty and can be found on the website, or hard copies are available on request from the school office.
Mutual respect
This is an integral aspect of life at Brampton Primary. We expect our learners to be respectful, confident and positive individuals. We encourage every child to care about, and have respect for, their learning, each other and our environment. By being socially and emotionally intelligent, understanding themselves and each other, our children will make the right choices and experience positive relationships now and in the future.
Our phase assembly Collective Worship follows themes, which have recently included: care, citizenship, charity, pupil voice, celebration, festivals, safety (including e-safety) and personal development.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Not only do we demonstrate tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs, we positively embrace them. This forms a cornerstone of the Brampton Primary community and we are proud to demonstrate the inclusivity of Newham schools. We teach children the values of their own opinions as well as those of others. Examples of this include taking pupils out on educational visits to different places of worship, and following the Newham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education that educates pupils about all the main belief systems in the UK.