SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural) & British Values

Overview

Park Vale Academy believes that SMSC education (spiritual, moral, social, cultural) and the fundamental British Values (democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs) are closely connected to the school’s own ethos and core values of pride, opportunity, respect, belief.  As such, we actively seek opportunities to promote our ethos and core values alongside SMSC and the British Values in all areas of school life.

In the Curriculum

SMSC and fundamental British Values are embedded within our curriculum through all subjects and tutor activities. The topics aim to match the needs of our students: whether it be ensuring that our year 11s leave our care with a clear sense of their own rights and responsibilities to others, how to vote or manage their money, or helping our year 7s to manage the transition to secondary, learn about the changing world around them, manage their emotions or give them the skills to successfully navigate new and challenging experiences.

Tolerance and harmony are core values at Park Vale Academy. Students acquire an appreciation of and respect both for their own and other cultures and traditions through work in  tutor time, House activities and assemblies  teach students about different religions, and encourage students to discuss and explore concepts such as identity, diversity and community cohesion.

At Key stage 4,  many of the subjects also include topics that enable students to acquire a broad and general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England. For example in GCSE History, students learn about medicine through history and as part of this, they study the implementation of the NHS and the corresponding acts of Parliament.

SMSC in the Pastoral System

Beyond the classroom, students have numerous opportunities that promote SMSC.

A strong school ethos is promoted through regular assemblies for all year groups and a daily tutor program which encourages students to engage with issues relating to SMSC such as key religious festivals, National Anti-Bullying Week, Black History Month and Safer Internet Day to name a few.

We work closely with our team of Police Community Support Officers to develop positive community relationships and through this our students develop a sense of respect for the criminal and civil law of England.

The school actively consults pupils in many ways (including surveys, student voice etc.) to ensure that all pupils in school have a voice that is listened to. The school encourages students to voice their ideas and opinions, and know that they will be listened to and taken seriously. It also enables students to learn and understand the principals of democracy and promote participation in democratic processes. Each House tutor group votes to elect a representative from their  group as their tutor representative and also as House Captains.  Through this, students learn how citizens can influence decision making through the democratic process.

We encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, to show initiative and to understand how they can contribute positively and to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely.  Fundraising for events such as Children in Need and Red Nose Day are annual events and give students the opportunity to be proactive helping those less fortunate than themselves. All Houses identify a charity to receieve the proceeds from their fundraising activities.

Students’ spiritual development is shown by their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values
• sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
• use of imagination and creativity in their learning willingness to reflect on their experiences. 

Students’ moral development is shown by their:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England
• understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
• interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues. 

Students’ social development is shown by their:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
• willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
• acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain. 

Students’ cultural development is shown by their:

• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those of others
• understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
• willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
• interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

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