Fundamental British Values
The DfE have reinforced 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.”
The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister. At Charnwood, we encourage all children to be tolerant and respectful to those of different faiths and beliefs. This is done by providing the children with an understanding of the main festivals, the key dates in various religions and major political events, such as elections. We learn about the ethnic backgrounds of all pupils and families; we undertake a variety of events and lessons to celebrate and explore these, and other cultures in our country.
At Charnwood, we value the voice of the child and promote democratic processes such as our school council whose members are voted for by the children. Ideas and events are planned and discussed with a chance for debate and putting forward points of view.
Fundamental British Values document
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development at Charnwood. Our mission statement at Charnwood Primary Academy of inspire, nurture, achieve sets the core purpose of our learning. To ensure that children are meeting their true potential, and are able to access an outstanding curriculum we provide a curriculum that is rich in spiritual, moral, social and cultural developments.
- Spiritual development relates to that aspect of inner life through which our children acquire insights into their personal existence that are of enduring worth. Spiritual is not synonymous with religious; all areas of the curriculum may contribute to pupils’ spiritual development. It is about the development of a sense of identity, self-worth, personal insight, meaning and purpose, developing recognition that pupils own insights, principles, beliefs, attitudes and that values influence them in their own lives.
- Moral development is about building a framework of moral values for our children, which regulates their personal behaviour. It is the development of our understanding of society’s shared and agreed values; including an understanding that there are contentious issues where there is disagreement, and that society’s values change. To know there is a range of views and the reasons for the range. It is also about developing an opinion about the different views.
- Social development is about helping our young people to work effectively with each other and to participate successfully in the community as a whole. It is about the development of the skills and personal qualities necessary for living and working together; and functioning effectively in a multi-racial, multi-cultural society.
- Cultural development is about our children understanding their own culture, other cultures in Lichfield and Staffordshire and in the UK as a whole. It is about understanding cultures represented in Europe and elsewhere in the world; about understanding and feeling comfortable in a variety of cultures and being able to operate in the emerging world culture of shared experiences provided by television, travel and the internet. It also fosters an eagerness to participate in new experiences and to develop awareness of music, art, dance and literature, etc. in different cultures.
At Charnwood Primary School children:
- Reflect on beliefs, values and more profound aspects of human experience and use their imagination and creativity, developing curiosity in their learning
- Develop and apply an understanding of right and wrong in their school life and life outside school;
- Take part in a range of activities requiring social skills, including sports clubs, collaborative learning, gardening club, woodland adventures
- Develop an awareness of, and respect towards, diversity in relation to gender, race, religion and belief, culture and disability;
- Gain a well-informed understanding of the options and challenges facing them as they move through the school and on to the next stage of their education and training;
- Overcome any barriers to their learning;
- Respond positively to a range of artistic, sporting and other cultural opportunities, provided by the school, including, for example developing an appreciation of theatre, music and literature;
- Develop the skills and attitudes to enable them to participate fully and positively in democratic, modern Britain; and Understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life.
SMSC Document
