Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education & British Values

At Market Deeping Community Primary school we recognise that spiritual, moral, social and cultural education begins with our obligations under the 2002 Education Act; the 2011 Children’s Act and 2010 Equalities Act to promote equality and safeguard the welfare of children.

Furthermore, we also recognise that spiritual, moral, social and cultural education includes a duty to champion the principles of democracy and challenge prejudice and intolerance by promoting the values set out in the 2011 ‘Prevent Strategy’ and the 2014 DfE consultation.

These values are enshrined in five key British Values:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values flow through Market Deeping Community Primary school, from our ethos and vision, to our policy and practice in the classroom, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy

 Each year the children decide upon their class rules and the rights associated with these. All the children contribute to the drawing up of the charter. The School Rules are also annually reviewed with the children.

 We have various interest groups: ECO Team, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, Librarians and Playground Leaders. These representatives of each class share ideas and initiatives with their peers and the groups.

 Democracy is also actively practised in classes with children voting on a range of issues, from how to select their reward days, to how to improve the facilities in the school playground.

 The children also have regular questionnaires on issues ranging from playground issues, to their opinions about residentials they have experienced and their thoughts about their learning in Computing. These then feed into future planning.

'Pupil Voice' is gathered as part of our curriculum reviews.

How we influence democracy is explored through PSHE and assemblies as well as other areas of the curriculum eg. History. This includes looking at historical figures such as Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks and exploring the effectiveness of different approaches.

 

The Rule of Law

 The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country is consistently reinforced at Market Deeping Community Primary school.

 Pupils are taught from an early age the values of the school and the rule to 'BE KIND' . These are our Market Deeping Community Primary school Values. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.

 Many of these rules and laws are taught through our PSHE curriculum, which includes many safety aspects, such as: road safety, firework safety, e-safety and fire safety. We also have links with our police community support officer who comes into school to work with our children as well as specialist workshops with Lincolnshire Local Authority.

Individual Liberty

At Market Deeping Community Primary school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries from where pupils can make informed choices, through a safe environment  and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-Safety and PSHE lessons.

Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record (for example using Seesaw or not or how they present group work), of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Mutual Respect

 Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.

 Anti-Bullying has a high profile within the school with it being addressed through general classroom practice, the PSHE curriculum, assemblies and outside people, such as theatre groups.  The work of the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors is linked to The Diana Award.

 Children are also taught about respect and bullying in the online world also, though our learning platform and though regular e safety lessons lessons. They also know what to do if they see something disrespectful.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons, assemblies and PSHE lessons actively challenge stereotypes and reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others no matter their ethnicity, beliefs, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age or any other protected characteristics (as outlined in the 2010 Equalities Act and article 14 of UNICEFs Rights of the child).

The children, each year, visit at least one place of worship. This has been timetabled so that children will visit a place of worship for each major religion by the time they leave our school. This has proved very popular with children. Major religious festivals are acknowledged through assemblies and the RE curriculum.

 We encourage our children to interact with children from other schools, both locally and further afield, though organised activities.

 At Market Deeping Community Primary school, we actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to the values we hold as a school, including ‘extremist’ views.

 As a school and staff, we believe in an ethos where children of all backgrounds and cultures are welcomed and valued; all children will make the very best progress that they can; leaving us confident to participate and take a lead role in society.

 We believe our pupils should demonstrate outstanding behaviour and self-discipline, supported by parents and our partners in the wider community. They should leave us confident, but not arrogant, proud of their success, able to encourage others and understand the changing world around them. They will be able to look back on a wonderfully happy primary education and be eager to start the next stage of their learning.

In addition, they are clearly articulated, as expectations to pupils, in our behaviour policy and school values:

Finally, in the classroom, during school assemblies and in pre and after school provision, we deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, in accordance with National Curriculum requirements, promoting the spiritual, moral and cultural development of pupils at every opportunity; preparing our pupils for the challenges, responsibilities and experiences that life may offer. Delivered through a broad range of learning opportunities, lessons at Market Deeping Community Primary give children an understanding and appreciation of how different cultures have shaped our school, local community and country; the willingness to share and reflect upon their own and others’ faith, beliefs and values; opportunities to investigate moral and ethical issues without, conflict, prejudice and bias; a context to use their developing social skills to work with others, regardless of gender, race or sexuality; the belief that they can make a positive contribution to the society in which they live.