SMSC & BRITISH VALUES
SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) is a key part of the learning and development of our children and community at Holy family Catholic Primary School. British values refer to the fundamental principles that form the basis of society and identity in the United Kingdom. These are embedded throughout our school.
SMSC
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What we believe...
Spiritual Development is about expanding your experience of self and life – learning about whom you are and your connection to God. Teaching children that they are connected to God, and that He loves us no matter what, is fundamental to our faith and enables children to recognise that we are all God’s children and as such have been created as loving beings.
What we believe...
Morality is about our ability to learn the difference between right and wrong and understand how to make the right choices. Children’s experiences at home, the environment around them and their physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills influence their moral development. As a Catholic school we aim to focus on the dignity and worth of each person and a vision of a just, social world.
What we believe...
Catholic education also promotes the development of critical skills and the integration of social issues into the learning process. To this end, learning includes a moral and ethical framework from which to discuss current social concerns such as world hunger, the interconnection between issues of justice and peace and the call to ministry in Jesus' name.
What we believe...
Catholic education promotes an appreciation of the value and richness of a child’s own culture and that of the cultural diversity in Britain and beyond. It calls for an awareness that cultures, different from one's own, have their own special qualities and that the people of these cultures need to be met and understood as they are, not stereotyped.
How is SMSC taught at Holy Family?
Religious Education
- Children learn about beliefs, values and the concept of spirituality.
- RE reflects on the significance of religious teaching in their own lives.
- Develops respect for the right of others to hold beliefs different from their own.
- Shows an understanding of the influence of religion on society.
- Fosters appreciation and understanding of different cultures, religions and traditions.
- Collective worship allows time for personal reflection and prayer.
*Reception/Year 1 exploring other faiths.
English
- Developing confidence and expertise in language, which is an important aspect of individual and social identity.
- Enabling children to understand and engage with the feelings and values embodied in high quality poetry, fiction, drama, film and television.
- Developing children’s awareness of moral and social issues in fiction, journalism, magazines, radio, television and film.
- Helping children to understand how language changes over time, the influences on spoken and written language and social attitudes to the use of language.
- Using lesson activities such as discussion and conscience alley to explore dilemmas and moral stories.
*Year 4/5 Children incorporating drama into their lessons.
Mathematics
- Helping children to recognise how logical reasoning can be used to consider the consequences of particular decisions and choices and helping them learn the value of mathematical truth.
- Encouraging children to work together productively on complex mathematical tasks and helping them see that the result is often better than any of them could achieve separately.
*Reception/Year 1 problem solving using scales.
Science
- Encouraging children to reflect on the wonder of the natural world.
- Awareness of the ways that Science and Technology can affect society and the environment.
- Consideration of the moral dilemmas that can result in scientific developments.
- Co-operation in practical activity.
- Raising awareness that scientific developments are the product of many.
- Showing respect for different opinions.
*Year 3/4 looking at the impact pollution has on our world as global citizens
History
- Looking at the creation and evolution of British society.
- Enabling children to reflect on issues such as war, conquest, invasion, slavery etc.
- Showing an awareness of the moral implications of the actions of historical figures.
*Year 1/2 Class Remembrance Assembly
Computing
- Preparing the children for the challenges of living and learning in a technologically enriched, increasingly interconnected world.
- Making clear the guidelines about the ethical use of the internet and how we keep ourselves and others safe.
- Acknowledging advances in technology and appreciation for human achievement.
*Whole school E-Safety awareness competition
Geography
- Opportunities for reflection on the creation of earth and its’ origins, future and diversity.
- Reflection on the fair distribution of the earth’s resources and issues surrounding climate change.
- Study of people and physical geography gives our children the chance to reflect on the social and cultural characteristics of society.
*Reception/Year 1 exploring the earth's resources.
Modern Foreign Languages
- Gaining insights into the way of life, cultural traditions, moral and social developments of other people.
- Social skills are developed through group activities and communication exercises.
- Listening skills are improved through oral work.
*Year 3/4 class French lesson. During their lessons, KS2 children not only learn the langauge but they also learn the cultural traditions through our amazing French teacher.
Art
- Art lessons develop children’s aesthetic appreciation.
- Art evokes feelings of 'awe' and 'wonder'.
- Giving children the chance to reflect on nature, their environment and surroundings.
*Reception/Year 1 children studied the work of Andy Goldsworthy. They used photography to find natural forms of art.
DT
- Reflecting on products and inventions, the diversity of materials and ways in which design can improve the quality of our lives.
- Awareness of the moral dilemmas created by technological advances.
- How different cultures have contributed to technology.
- Opportunities to work as a team, recognising others strengths, sharing equipment.
*Year 4/5 children using technology to decode and debug challenges using micro:bit.
Music
- Teaching that encourages children to be open to the music of other cultures.
- Discussing and reflecting upon a range of personal experiences (own performance) and observed experiences (trips, concerts and peer performances).
- Looking at the way music can change moods and behaviour.
- Offering a range of high quality off-timetable music enrichment activities.
- Listening to music together and celebrating.
*Music Alive came to perform at our school. The teachers came up to the front to do the jive!
PE
- Activities involving co-operation, teamwork, competition, rules, self-discipline and fair play.
- Exploring the sports and traditions of a variety of cultures.
- Individual activities that provide the opportunity for self-reflection, awareness and challenge.
*Whole KS2 sport challenge during lunctime.
BRITISH VALUES
Democracy
At Holy Family Primary School our mission statement states that we want our pupils to ‘become independent lifelong learners and thinkers’ and ‘to become the best possible citizen of tomorrow’. We believe that if pupils realise they have opinions which will be listened to and which can influence aspects of school life important to them, they will become responsible adults who will take a full and active role in society. At the start of each school year, pupils vote for their school council class representatives. The school council meet regularly to discuss issues in school.
The impact democracy has on our children:
Children at Holy Family learn how to respect the outcome of a democratic process and learn how to manage feelings of disappointment if not chosen or elected. They learn to help make decisions and share ideas as individuals and in groups, confident that their pupil voice will have a respectful and active audience. They understand their responsibilities to the school and the wider community.
Individual Liberty
Our school vision and values help our pupils to respect themselves and others and develop independence by taking responsibility for their own actions. By creating a safe, supportive environment we provide boundaries which enable pupils to make choices.
The impact Individual Liberty has on our children:
Children at Holy Family feel a sense of belonging and feel their opinions are valued. They develop strategies to manage different situations in which they need to make choices. They are aware of how to stay safe in different situations. They enjoy and value the freedoms that they have, of speech, of thought and of being themselves while remaining respectful of others' differences.
Tolerance of other faiths and beliefs
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs is reinforced by our school aims ‘to respect and value themselves and others’ and ‘to become the best possible citizens of tomorrow’. At Holy Family we help our pupils to learn about different faiths and religions which are practised in our country and throughout the world, whilst recognising the Christian traditions upon which our society is constructed. We actively promote tolerance through our curriculum and other areas of school life.
The impact Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs has on our children:
Children are respectful to those who have different beliefs or lives to them. Children learn to discuss issues from different viewpoints and show empathy to others. Children learn all about different faiths each half term and they also have the opportunity to visit a different place of worship. Children at Holy Family appreciate the differences in other children’s cultures and can talk about it. They understand when behaviour towards others is not acceptable, including any type of discrimination.
Rule of Law
At Holy Family Primary School we place high importance on good behaviour and of adherence to our school rules. This enables our pupils to learn in a safe, orderly environment. School rules and laws which govern our country are referred to and reinforced in the classroom and in assemblies. Our pupils learn the value and reasons for rules and laws, the responsibility which they have in making the right behaviour choices and that there are consequences when rules and laws are broken.
The impact The Rule of Law has on our children:
Children at Holy Family show respect for the rules and the law. They understand their responsibilities and the consequence of their behaviour. They feel safe in a secure and respectful environment. Older children in the school set a good example for younger children to follow. At the beginning of year, each class will create a class rules list which they must follow throughout the year.
Mutual Respect
A key aim which underpins our ethos is ‘to value and respect ourselves and others’. Our school vision and values state that pupils will develop an awareness of cultural diversity and foster respect and understanding of the faiths, race and culture of others. Mutual respect between adults and pupils in school is fostered through the curriculum and through other aspects of school life such as our school rules, participation in sport and the performing arts, and visitors to school. We also feel it is important to broaden our ethos to include respect for members of the wider community.
The impact Mutual Respect has on our children:
Children at Holy Family are respectful towards others. They respect and value theirs and other’s achievements and opinions. People feel valued and welcomed at our school.
Beyond Our Curriculum
Beyond our curriculum
- Student Leadership e.g. GIFT team, Caritas Ambassadors, Peacemakers, Laudato Si, School council, play leaders.
- Whole school and key stage assemblies.
- Our extensive Extra-Curricular Programme.
- Taking part in charity work.
- Links with other schools in our local network and BoSCEP.
- School productions
- Visitors in to school e.g. local priest.
- Links with local places of worship.
