British Values at Biddick Academy

 

At Biddick Academy we aim to:

• enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
• enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England
• encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour and to understand how they can contribute positively to society generally
• enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England
• further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions
• encourage respect for other people and encourage respect for democracy, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

SMSC

SMSC stands for Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural education, which is essential for helping pupils develop as well-rounded, informed individuals. The Academy’s thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and their physical wellbeing enables pupils of the school to thrive in a supportive, highly cohesive learning community.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum.

Spiritual development 

Through the curriculum, students develop:

• An ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
• A knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values
• A 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

Moral development 

Through the curriculum, students develop:

• An 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
• An understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
• An 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.

Social development 

Through the curriculum, students develop:

• 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.

Cultural development 

Through the curriculum, students develop:

• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
• Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• Ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
• 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 and respect diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities

At Biddick Academy, we promote SMSC and British Values throughout the curriculum, during enrichment days, Form Tutor time and via school trips and events. Examples of the topics we focus on are:

• Racism
• Respecting diversity
• Exploring cultures
• Life in modern Britain
• Democracy
• Mutual respect and tolerance
• The rule of law
• Understanding and exploring the values, beliefs and opinions of others
• Developing personal values and beliefs
• Moral codes
• Recognising right from wrong
• Consequences of actions
• Conflicts
• Understanding communities and societies
• Imagination and creativity in learning