SMSC and British Values
At Harper Green School, we seek to develop well-rounded individuals who understand the core British Values and have social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness.
The government emphasises that schools must ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the ‘Prevent Strategy’ – values of:
- Democracy (contribute to the decision making process),
- The rule of law (protect and keep us safe),
- Individual liberty (freedom to act within the law),
- Mutual respect (respect other points of view),
- Tolerance (of those of different faiths and beliefs).
Through our positive behaviour and rewards policy, PSHE sessions, character education activities, assemblies and our curriculum we:
- enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
- encourage respect for other people, and
- encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes
- enable students to learn right from wrong and to respect rules and understand the law
- encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to society
- develop tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures
Here are some examples of when British values are discussed and / or shared:
Curriculum themes and topics
Our curriculum prepares children for life in today’s multicultural British Society; this includes developing the understanding and use of money, effective reading and writing skills, collaboration and discussion to research ideas and concepts.
Daily acts of collective worship
Our assemblies uphold the schools values of listen, engage and respect. Each week is ‘themed’ and covers key PSHE, SMSC and British Values topics. Each theme is followed up in character education with an individual, paired or group task to explore it further. Successes are celebrated through rewards assemblies half termly.
PSHE and Character Education
Mutual respect is also taught within character education and on an informal nature throughout the school days. Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety policy and PSHE work on keeping myself safe.
RE
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs is promoted in RE as students gain a greater understanding of religious diversity and practices for those religions represented in the UK.
Physical Education
Promotion of the concept of “fair play”, following and developing rules, celebrating and rewarding success, accepting defeat and participating in activities that promote cooperation with others and inclusion for all form an integral part of the PE curriculum.
Prefects and our School Ambassadors
Our school promotes democratic processes through the selection of prefects, senior prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl and through the election of school council members. The school and year group councils foster the concept of freedom of speech and group action to address need and concerns.