British Values and SMSC

British Values

Our British Values Statement

We are passionate about promoting British Values and have worked closely with the governing body, staff and children to create a statement which provides an overview of how we link British Values to the curriculum.

SMSC and British Values Policy

British Values Across the Curriculum

Summary

At Corpus Christi R.C Primary School we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and wider school community.

The Department for Education states that: “There is a 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 Department for Education defines British Values as follows:

Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
Support for equality of opportunity for all
Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs

Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.

How We Promote British Values

At Corpus Christi, we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum. Our school values demonstrate how the British values underpin the life of the school:

Friendship – Understanding – Commitment – Honesty – Equality – Respect

A key part of our plan for education is to ensure that pupils leave Corpus Christi with the knowledge, understanding and emotional intelligence that will allow them to flourish and play a positive and active role in our diverse society.

To do this we will:

Develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self- confidence
Develop their understanding of right from wrong and to respect the rules of the school and the laws of Britain
Encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviours, show initiative and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of others
Promote tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation and respect for their own and other cultures
Teach children about the protected characteristics in order that they learn to respect others, celebrate diversity and recognise prejudice and discrimination
Teach pupils to respect other people, animals and the world around them
Teach pupils to understand and respect democratic processes

As a school we promote British values in a number of ways:

Democracy
Pupil voice is very important at Corpus Christi. Pupils are routinely asked their opinions and suggestions, and these are taken seriously. The development of oracy skills is carefully planned and pupils have discreet weekly lessons in order that we can target skills specific to improving the quality of articulation.

Our Pupil Parliament allows pupils to discuss current events and to practise the skills of rationalising, putting forward a comprehensive argument and disagreeing politely.

Within school, pupils have roles of responsibility. Play Leaders and school prefects are selected through a democratic process and these pupils make a valuable contribution to the development of the school. The understanding of democracy as a concept is taught through our curriculum, particularly through the areas of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and history.

The Rule of Law
Throughout their time at school, pupils develop their understanding of what is right and what is wrong. We have school rules and expectations that pupils know, understand, and follow. Pupils understand why these rules are important and older pupils encourage younger pupils to follow them. Through daily school life, and explicitly in PSHE lessons, pupils develop their understanding of actions, responsibilities and consequences. Visits from/to authorities such as the police, fire service are regular parts of our curriculum and help reinforce this message. Pupils also work with local community police officers.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Learning about a wide range of different religions in Religious Education and learning about protected characteristics in PSHE offer these opportunities and also support in discussions around the issue of prejudice. We pride ourselves on ensuring that we demonstrate inclusivity in all that we do.

Mutual Respect
It is an expectation at Corpus Christi that the school community demonstrate a respectful attitude at all times. Discussions, assemblies, team games in Physical Education and PSHE lessons across the school help to reinforce this message. Bullying is not tolerated, and pupils are taught about the different types of bullying, why they might occur and discuss possible strategies for dealing with incidents should they witness any. In the early years, children begin to develop their understanding of others through planned learning opportunities within the areas of ‘Understanding the World’ and ‘Personal, Social and Emotional Development’.

Individual Liberty

Within School, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. From the earliest age, pupils exercise individual freedoms through their child-initiated learning. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education.

Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely.

Collective Worship
Collective worship is focussed on our school values which link to the British Values. Through collective worship, pupils learn the importance of being kind, caring and respecting others indiscriminately. Our weekly whole school assembly is led by the senior leadership team and explores current affairs and themes based around the protected characteristics. Safeguarding assemblies support pupils in understanding rules for keeping themselves and others safe.

Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Education

SMSC Across the Curriculum

SMSC
SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education. SMSC takes a high priority at Corpus Christi School, embedded into our broad curriculum as well as through extra-curricular activities, trips, and clubs and theme days. It is not a ‘standalone’ subject.

Spiritual Education
Corpus Christi has strong community links with the Parish of Divine Mercy. We make regular visits to Corpus Christi RC Church including whole school Masses, Class Masses and visits that follow the Liturgical Year. Our RE curriculum covers a range of faiths, whilst celebrating the Catholic ethos of the school. Spirituality is explored though assemblies and Collective Worship. The children have a sense of enjoyment in their learning which is achieved through our schools aims, values and school mission statement ‘The pursuit of excellence whilst loving God and others”.

Moral Education
Children have an understanding of right and wrong and this is drawn directly from our Catholic faith. This is reinforced through an embedded behaviour policy which is shared and understood by all stakeholders. Children and staff agree a home/school Charter and ‘Say No to Bullying’ at the start of each academic year. These are regularly referred to. Children are given opportunities to offer views on moral and ethical issues through curriculum work.

Social Education
The school is part of a supportive and social community. Children are encouraged to use a range of social skills through the provision of clubs, fairs, discos, events, trips (including residentials) and cluster events (e.g. sports). The children have a great understanding of inclusion and help and support others regardless of faith, beliefs, race or disability. The vast range of pupil leadership groups that operate within school also support this.

Cultural Education
Children have opportunities to participate in a range of artistic, musical, sporting and cultural activities. Achievements are celebrated both within class and during whole school ‘Celebration Assembly’ where children can show and discuss certificates, trophies and awards.