SMSC & British Values

What are the ‘British values’?

Democracy
The rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith

Democracy:

Democracy is the principle that everyone has a voice and the right to participate in decision-making processes. At Two Moors Primary, this is often practiced through student councillors and elections for roles like play leaders and eco-teams, allowing students to express their opinions and influence school policies and decisions such as what charities we support.

The Rule of Law:

The rule of law emphasises the importance of laws in maintaining order and protecting individuals. We teach students about the legal system, the consequences of breaking laws, and the importance of following rules to ensure a safe and fair environment for all.

Individual liberty:

Individual liberty refers to the freedom of individuals to make their own choices and express their views. We promote this value by encouraging students to understand their rights and responsibilities and by fostering an environment where they can express themselves safely and respectfully.

Mutual respect:

Mutual respect involves recognising and valuing the differences among individuals. We promote this value by creating an inclusive environment where all students are treated with dignity, regardless of their background or beliefs.

tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs:

This value encourages understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and religions. At Two Moors, we teach students to appreciate diversity and to engage in respectful discussions about different beliefs, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

British Values throughout our curriculum

Magistrates Visit

Serving magistrates, Tim and Graham, visited year six to work with them for a morning about the role of law, police and the role magistrates play in enforcing the law. The children were really interested in what was said to them about following rules at home, in school and in the community and what would potentially happen if they didn't. This ties in perfectly with our ongoing work of British Values and also careers. Thank you to both Tim and Graham for giving up their time and coming to work with us!

Curriculum work

Throughout our curriculum, British Values appear regularly so the children are exposed to these throughout their time at school. Examples of this include explicit teaching of these in assemblies and PSHE lessons, but also linked with other subjects - for example, learning about the fight of the suffragettes and their battle to win the right to vote for women (democracy).

School Council/Eco Team

All of these roles are voted for democratically in classes at the start of each year. We ensure children are given a chance to state why they would be a good person to be in the role and then the children complete a vote. This gives the children a good understanding of democray in action and how their 'vote' and choices, even if they don't 'win' the vote, is still important!

Mutual Respect

Respect is one of our core school values and transcends our work with British Values. We discuss all of our school values and British values regularly in assemblies and PSHE lessons too. We use respect a lot when discussing behaviour and about treating others how we would like to be treated back. Respect also means respecting yourself. We also celebrate our achievements both in and out school.

Diversity through the curriculum

Throughout our carefully designed, bespoke curriculum, we ensure that the children are learning about a range of people from diverse backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities. This work builds a tolerance and understanding within our pupils for other people.

Have a look at our 'Diversity' page for more information.

SMSC at Two moors

SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development, which refers to the broader personal development of children and young people. It encompasses a wide range of values, beliefs, and experiences that shape an individual's identity and understanding of the world around them. SMSC is a crucial aspect of education, as it helps children and young people develop a strong sense of self and an awareness of their place in society.

SMSC is a vital part of education, as it helps children and young people to develop into well-rounded, thoughtful, and respectful individuals. By promoting spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, we can help students develop a sense of identity and purpose, as well as an awareness of their place in society. This, in turn, can help to promote social cohesion and understanding, as well as contributing to the overall well-being and happiness of students.

Spiritual development refers to the development of a sense of identity and belonging, as well as an understanding of life's purpose and meaning. It includes exploring and developing an individual's own beliefs, values, and experiences, as well as respecting the beliefs and experiences of others.

Moral development relates to the development of a sense of right and wrong, as well as an understanding of how to behave in a way that is consistent with one's own values and beliefs. It also involves developing empathy and respect for others and their beliefs.

Social development is about developing relationships with others and understanding how to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. It involves learning about social norms, customs, and traditions, as well as developing social skills and the ability to communicate effectively.

Cultural development involves understanding and appreciating the richness and diversity of different cultures, and the ability to interact respectfully with people from different backgrounds. It involves learning about different customs, traditions, and beliefs, as well as understanding the historical and social contexts that shape them.

In Key Stage 1 SMSC at Two Moors will look like:

Spiritual: Understanding and valuing feelings and emotions; exploring and understanding different religions and beliefs.
Moral: Recognising right from wrong; developing a sense of fairness; understanding the consequences of actions.
Social: Developing positive relationships with others; recognising and respecting differences in others.
Cultural: Learning about different cultures, traditions and celebrations; understanding the importance of diversity.

In Key Stage 2 SMSC looks like:

Spiritual: Reflecting on the world around us; exploring beliefs, values and meaning; understanding the concept of spirituality.
Moral: Understanding the importance of rules and laws; making ethical judgements; developing a sense of responsibility and empathy.
Social: Developing effective communication and teamwork skills; learning to manage conflicts and disagreements; developing an understanding of different cultures and beliefs.
Cultural: Understanding and celebrating the diversity of our society; developing a sense of identity and belonging; exploring how culture impacts our daily lives.

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