Promoting British Values & SMSC
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The DfE have clearly outlined the importance of promoting British Values and 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.” (Prevent Strategy 2011) The DfE has further highlighted the importance of teaching British values as part of our SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision: “Through ensuring pupils’ SMSC development, schools can also demonstrate they are actively promoting fundamental British values. Meeting requirements for collective worship, establishing a strong school ethos supported by effective relationships throughout the school, and providing relevant activities beyond the classroom are all ways of ensuring pupils’ SMSC development. Pupils must be encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance. It is expected that pupils should understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.” (Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools 2014) |
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At George Fentham Endowed School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
Democracy Democracy is embedded in the school. Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our School Council and pupil voice opportunities. The elections of the School Council members are based solely on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action. The Rule of Law The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. School Council devised 3 key school rules which are embedded in the daily life of the school. In addition, each class also discusses and sets its own Class Charter, rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils 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. Individual Liberty Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our E-safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices. Mutual Respect Respect is seen as an important value in our school. Pupils know and understand that it is expected and imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. The value of respect at George Fentham Endowed School underpins much of our work every day both in and out of the classroom. Respect for the older generation is fostered trough links with Hampton Lunch Club. Tolerance of Those With Different Faiths, Cultures and Beliefs The key value of respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths, cultures and beliefs. George Fentham Endowed School enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths, cultures and beliefs through RE, collective worship, visits and visitors and the wider curriculum. Our annual RE week focuses on a different faith each year and includes visits to places of worship and visitors from other faiths. In addition, each year group learns about different faiths as part of the Solihull Syllabus for RE. SMSC |
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