British Values
SMSC and British Values
At South Stanley Junior School we promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils through our school vision, ethos and values, rules, collective worship and curriculum. Through these we actively promote tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles.
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We have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe. We value the importance of the current Ofsted guidance:
“… the school promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), cultures and lifestyles; and support and help, through their words, actions and influence within the school and more widely in the community, to prepare children and young people positively for life in modern Britain.”
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Overview
At South Stanley Junior School, pupils have regular PSHCE lessons following an annual plan covering areas including:
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Relationships
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Healthy lifestyles
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Staying Safe
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Online safety
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respect and tolerance
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equality and diversity
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whilst at the same time developing pupils’ self-confidence and self-esteem. Pupils not only explore their own feelings and values but begin to respect and understand the feelings and values of others.
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Our termly PSHCE topics are outlined in the following documents for your information.
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British History is taught and celebrated through topics including:
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Stone and Iron Age Britain
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Anglo Saxons and Celts
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Romans
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Tudors
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As a whole school, we celebrate British events including sporting events and special events linked to the Royal Family. We hold a special Remembrance Day assembly every year during which there is a two minutes silence. Children always enjoy supporting the work of the Royal British Legion by selling and purchasing poppies.
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Specific themes
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Democracy:
Democracy is clearly evident within our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our annually elected School Council. Our school council have been instrumental in fundraising to develop our play times and promoting special themed lunches across the school year.
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Each year we hold an election for House Captains and Vice Captains. Year 6 pupils campaign through speeches and a secret ballot of pupil votes is held.
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Whole school events are held as part of Parliament Week in November of each year.
Pupils are involved in meetings to discuss their progress and in SEND support meetings, allowing them to share their opinions and feel valued as part of the process.
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The Rule of Law:
The importance of laws, whether those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout school, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils also take part in house team activities and assemblies which reinforce our role as citizens within a local community, the country and the world.
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Our school is part of the mini-police project. Pupils work closely with the police helping out at local events and learning about the work of the police in the local community and wider.
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Visits from other authorities such as Fire Service further reinforce the value and reasons behind laws, that they are there to govern and protect us, the responsibilities we all have to uphold these, and the consequences when laws are broken for both perpetrators and victims.
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Our PSHE curriculum further explores the need for rules in any society.
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Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect:
Through our RE curriculum, pupils learn about the beliefs and values of the Hindu and Sikh religion and how these influence Individual choices and lifestyle.
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Through PSHE and school assemblies they explore the rights of individuals to hold beliefs and values which may be different from their own and the need for tolerance and mutual respect in society.
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Anti-bullying work further promotes the need for tolerance and vigilance in combating discrimination in any form. School rules, rewards and behaviour policy all reinforce these important values.
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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 and explore such diversity e.g. through RE, PSHCE, assemblies, anti-bullying work, school visits and visitors into school (e.g. International students who recently ran a Chinese after school club). Whole school events e.g. Chinese New Year, further enhance pupils’ understanding, promoting tolerance and respect for those of different faiths and beliefs.