OUR SHARED VALUES AND BRITISH VALUES
Under Section 78 of the Education Act (2002) schools are required, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils or SMSC development. At The Friars Primary School, our SMSC provision is based on Department for Education (2014) guidance: Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools: Departmental advice for maintained schools.
Through our SMSC provision, with due regard for British values and our school values, we seek to:
- enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence – this is reflected in our school’s shared value of happiness;
- enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
- 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 – this is reflected in our school’s shared values of happiness, achievement and determination; and
- enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England.
The following relate strongly to our shared value of respect:
- to further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures – this is reflected in our school’s shared value of respect;
- to encourage respect for other people; and
- to encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
Fundamental British values can be summarised as:
- Democracy – Children are actively encouraged to have a voice and share their views and opinions regularly (e.g. the School Council).
- The Rule of Law – The importance of laws and rules, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school day. Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws and rules, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws and rules are broken
- Individual Liberty – Children are actively encouraged to make decisions and choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
- Mutual Respect – Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with respect.
- Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs – The school is situated in an area which is culturally diverse and 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.
At The Friars Primary School, we will actively challenge children, staff or parents/carers expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including those expressing extremist views.