British Values and SMSC
At our Polehampton Schools, British Values are actively promoted daily through our school ethos, curriculum, systems and structures in the following ways:
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Assemblies/Collective Worship
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The electing and running of a successful School Council and Eco-team/Planet Protectors
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Ensuring that our planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring and discussing these values.
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As part of Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC) development
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As part of Global Citizenship
The Rule of Law
The children learn about the importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country.
The children understand the need for rules and the need to abide by rules for the good of everyone. School and classroom rules reflect, reiterate, promote and reward acceptable behaviour and provide opportunities to celebrate pupils’ work and achievements.
The children develop an understanding of the value and reasons behind rules and laws, how they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when they are broken.
Special visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce these messages.
Liberty
The children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
We educate our children about making informed choices, for example through our Online Safety and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons.
The children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely.
Respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Religious Education lessons and PSHE lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others.
We celebrate diversity by learning about different faiths and cultures and participating in special events and experiences.
Children and parents share their own faiths and special celebrations in class and as part of whole school assemblies.
The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.
Collective Worship is an opportunity for discussion and thoughtful reflection upon sensitive issues including prejudice.
Global Schools
"Education for global citizenship helps enable young people to develop the core competencies which allow them to actively engage with the world, and help to make it a more just and sustainable place. Global citizenship is not an additional subject, it is an ethos.”
Oxfam website cited 16.12.14
Education for Global Citizenship is …
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asking questions and developing critical thinking skills
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equipping young people with knowledge, skills and values to participate as active citizens
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acknowledging the complexity of global issues
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revealing global issues and connections as part of everyday life, whether in a small village or a large city
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understanding how we relate to the environment and to each other as human beings
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relevant to all areas of the curriculum.
At the Polehampton Schools, global citizenship is a whole school ethos and is promoted through teaching our curriculum in a way that highlights aspects such as social justice, the appreciation of diversity and the importance of sustainable development.
We aim to raise pupils awareness and encourage them children to...
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See themselves and others as special
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Enjoy learning about one another’s lives
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Appreciate similarities and differences between their lives and those of others in their school, community and the wider world and value the common humanity shared by us all.
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Begin to understand how their daily lives are connected to others people’s lives around the world.
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Begin to understand that everyone has rights and responsibilities.
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Begin to learn to think critically and creatively to make decisions about their own lives.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)
At the Polehampton Schools, we recognise the importance of children’s personal development both, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally (SMSC).
Our school ethos and curriculum actively promotes children’s SMSC development, preparing them for opportunities, responsibilities and expectations in life. We are committed to developing and nurturing the whole child to ensure they thrive as confident, healthy, happy and thoughtful individuals who are able to make informed choices and decisions.
All adults model and promote expected behaviour, treating all people as unique and valuable individuals, showing respect for other staff, children and their families.
Some examples of the ways in which we support children in their development are detailed below.
Spiritual
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We provide opportunities to understand human feelings and emotions, the way they affect people and how an understanding of them can be helpful.
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We enjoy learning about oneself and others, respecting faiths, feelings and personal values.
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We explore values and beliefs, including religious, and the way in which they affect people’s lives.
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We promote using our imaginations and develop creativity.
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Time is spent reflecting upon learning and experiences.
Moral
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We have an open and safe learning environment in which children can express their views and practise making informed and independent judgements and decisions.
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Show respect for the environment.
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Encouraged to reflect upon the messages in moral and religious stories.
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Encouraged to use appropriate questioning of all that goes on around them.
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Through quality relationships and interactions we promote principles including fairness, integrity and respect for others.
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Children are engaged in conflict resolution and through the language of choice, are encouraged to consider right and wrong and understand consequences.
Social
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We encourage children to work cooperatively, share views and opinions with others, and listen to theirs.
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We support children in developing strategies for resolving conflicts.
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We have fostered a sense of community with common, inclusive values which ensure that everyone can flourish.
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We support children in developing personal qualities including thoughtfulness, honesty, respect and independence.
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We provide opportunities for children to engage with the fundamental values of British democracy.
Cultural
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We encourage children to recognise the value and richness of cultural diversity in Britain and accord dignity to other people's values and beliefs.
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We enable children to explore their own cultural heritage and that of others in school, the local community and the greater world.
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We respect and celebrate diversity providing opportunities for children to learn about and participate in cultural events and experiences.
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We recognise and nurture individuals gifts and talents.