British Values and SMSC

Within a safe, happy and creative environment we will provide the opportunity for every child to develop self-confidence, self esteem and self respect, in order to maximise potential and achieve personal excellence. 

At Priory Academy, we recognise that the personal development of students, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides students with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive, caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of the cultures. It is also important that British values such as tolerance, acceptance and respect are promoted throughout the curriculum.

Guidelines

All curriculum areas have a contribution to make to the child’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and opportunities for this will be planned in each area of the curriculum. Subject leaders will monitor the development of SMSC and the promotion of British values in their subjects. All adults will model and promote expected behaviour, treating all people as unique and valuable individuals and showing respect for students and their families.

The school community will be a place where students can find acceptance for themselves as unique individuals and where forgiveness and the opportunity to start again is fundamental to the ethos of Priory Academy. Students should learn to differentiate between right and wrong in as far as their actions affect other people. They will be encouraged to value themselves and others.

Students should understand the need for rules and the need to abide by rules for the good of everyone. School and classroom rules should reflect, reiterate, promote and reward acceptable behaviour and provide opportunities to celebrate students’ work and achievements.

General Aims

• To ensure that everyone connected with Priory is aware of our values and principles. To ensure a consistent approach to the delivery of SMSC issues and British Values through the curriculum and the general life of the school.
• To ensure that a pupil’s education is set within a context that is meaningful and appropriate to their age, aptitude and background.
• To ensure that students know what is expected of them and why.
• To give each pupil a range of opportunities to reflect upon and discuss their beliefs, feelings and responses to personal experience.
• To enable students to develop an understanding of their individual and group identity.
• To enable students to begin to develop an understanding of their social and cultural environment, and an appreciation of the many cultures that now enrich our society.
• To give each pupil the opportunity to explore social and moral issues, and develop a sense of social and moral responsibility.
• To ensure that students understand the importance of democracy.

Spiritual Development

At Priory Academy, we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable students to:

• Sustain their self-esteem in their learning experience. 
• Develop their capacity for critical and independent thought.
• Foster their emotional life and express their feelings.
• Experience moments of stillness and reflection.
• Discuss their beliefs, feelings, values and responses to personal experiences.
• Form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships. 
• Reflect on, consider and celebrate the wonders and mysteries of life.

Moral Development

At Priory Academy we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable students to:

• Recognise the unique value of each individual.
• Listen and respond appropriately to the views of others.
• Gain the confidence to cope with setbacks and learn from mistakes.
• Take initiative and act responsibly with consideration for others.
• Distinguish between right and wrong.
• Show respect for the environment.
• Make informed and independent judgements.

Social Development

At Priory Academy we aim to promote opportunities that will enable students to:

• Develop an understanding of their individual and group identity.
• Learn about service in the school and wider community.

Cultural Development

At Priory Academy we aim to promote opportunities that will enable students to:

• Recognise the value and richness of cultural diversity in Britain, and how these influenced individuals and society.
• Develop an understanding of their social and cultural environment.
• Develop an understanding of Britain’s local, national, European, Commonwealth and global dimensions.

British Values promotion

At Priory Academy we aim to promote opportunities that will enable students to:

• Understand and respect the value of democracy. 
• Understand and respect the rule of law. 
• Understand and respect individual liberty.
• Appreciate and show mutual respect.
• Appreciate and show tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
• Appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Britain.

Teaching and Organisation

Development in SMSC and the promotion of British values will take place across all curriculum areas, within activities that encourage students to recognise the spiritual dimension of their learning, reflect on the significance of what they are learning, and to recognise any challenges that there may be to their own attitude and lifestyle.

Many curriculum areas provide opportunities to:

• Listen and talk to each other.
•  Learn an awareness of treating all as equals, and accepting people who are different.
• Agree and disagree.
• Take turns and share equipment.
• Work co-operatively and collaboratively.

Junior Leadership Team

• Democratic selection process
• Liberty to engage with the management of school
• Respecting each other during debates

Links with the wider community

• Visitors are welcomed into school.
• The development of a strong home-school link is regarded as very important, enabling parents and teachers to work in an effective partnership to support the pupil.
• Students will be taught to appreciate their local environment and to develop a sense of responsibility to it.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Provision for SMSC and British Values will be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. This will be achieved by:

• Monitoring of teaching and learning
• Regular discussion at staff and governors’ meetings
• Audit of policies and Schemes of Work.
• Sharing of classroom work and practice.
• Collation of evidence in students’ work.
• Regular inclusion in the SDP and SEF.