Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development and British Values
At Southern Road we recognise that the personal development of pupils, 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 pupils 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 other cultures.
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.
Spiritual Development
Our children are encouraged to reflect on the predominant religious and moral values that underpin our democratic and multi-cultural British society. Through Religious Education lessons, Collective Worship, visiting places of worship and celebratory events, our children learn about the similarities and differences of other religions and are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs whilst tolerating the different viewpoints of others including those who do not have a religious faith.
We aim to develop our children spiritually by supporting them to;
- Gain the ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that informs their perspective on their life, show an interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values.
- Have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning differences about themselves, others and the world them.
- Use imagination and creativity in their
- Be willing to reflect upon their own
Moral Development
Throughout areas of the curriculum, children are presented with moral issues for debate, discussion and reflection. Such issues enable and encourage our children to discuss British values and understand how these are relevant to them.
The children are supported in their moral development through discussion, teaching and opportunities to:
- Recognise the difference between right and
- Apply this understanding in their own
- Respect the civil and criminal law of
- Understand the consequences of their behaviour and
- Investigate and offer reasoned views about moral and ethical
- Understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these
Social Development
Children have a wide range of opportunities to work collaboratively within class and across year groups. We promote ‘Buddy Systems’ for children new to the school and have appointed children as ‘Peer Mediators’ who actively support other children throughout break-time and lunchtimes.
Southern Road is at the heart of the local community and we encourage pupils to show care and consideration for others through charitable work and young citizenship. Opportunities are planned where possible to link the curriculum to charities within the community, such as raising funds for Richard House Children’s Hospice or donating food to Newham foodbank. The enabling enterprise lessons we provide allow children to develop skills such as teamwork and leadership as well as expanding their knowledge of businesses within the local area and wider community. The School Council ensure that all children can influence decision making in school through the democratic processes and regular pupil surveys that are conducted.
There is a strong emphasis throughout the Personal Health and Relationship areas of study on individual rights and responsibilities including respect and valuing difference in the way people choose to live in modern British Society.
Our children are encouraged to develop socially by:
- Using a range social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic
- Being encouraged to participate in a variety of communities and social settings
- Co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts
- Understanding the importance of identifying and combatting
Cultural Development
At Southern Road Primary School we value the diverse ethnic background of all pupils and families and undertake a variety of events to celebrate these, such as ‘Cultural Diversity Week,’ which takes place during the Autumn Term. We have found this approach to be enriching for all parties as it teaches tolerance and respect for the differences in our community and the wider world.
Through our English, Geography, History, French, Art, Music, Dance, RE and PSHE curriculum and wide programme of educational visits there are a wide range of learning opportunities which have strong links to the United Kingdom, through which we develop our children’s cultural understanding by enabling children to:
- Understand and appreciate the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
- Understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and beyond our local community as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain.
British Values
The Department for Education’s (2011) five-part definition of British values as found in the Prevent Strategy is:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy
Democracy forms an important part of life at Southern Road. Our Governing Body is elected, representative of the British democratic process. Candidates from the school staff, parents, community and Local Authority can stand for election and the Governing Body meet regularly to discuss key issues and help shape the community that is Southern Road Primary School. We have an active School Council, with representatives from each class elected at the beginning of the academic year. School Council meets regularly to discuss school issues and this year has a focus on making links between school and the community.
We are in a privileged position that our school building is used as a polling station for elections, giving us the opportunity to gain some understanding of how voting works.
The Rule of Law
As part of our curriculum, children learn about British and international History, and how some countries are run. We learn about rules in sport/games as part of our PE lessons and have visits from the police and fire brigade to learn about rules in our community.
We have an ethos and values which can be found in our prospectus and on and on our website, we also have a behaviour policy which includes a hierarchy of consequences and a rewards system. In addition to the policies and information displayed on our website we also have a newsletter which communicates events and learning to parents.
Individual liberty
Southern Road ensures every individual achieves their best through high expectations for all, which focus on confidence, creativity and care. Through our teaching of PSHE/Citizenship and we develop an understanding human and children’s rights and responsibilities.
Our school policies incorporate individual liberty and can be found on the website, or hard copies are available on request from the school office.
Mutual respect
- This is an integral aspect of life at Southern Road. To equip all learners with the necessary skills needed to develop their own interests / personal choices and challenges.
- To provide a fun, safe environment where all learners feel valued. Where they can share their successes and failures without fear.
We expect our learners to be respectful, confident and positive individuals. We encourage every child to care about, and have respect for, their learning, each other and our environment. By being socially and emotionally intelligent, understanding about themselves and each other, our children will make the right choices and experience positive relationships now and in the future.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Not only do we demonstrate tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs, we positively embrace them. We teach children the values of their own opinions as well as those of others. Examples of this include taking pupils out on educational visits to different places of worship, and following the Newham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education that educates pupils about all of the main belief systems in the UK.
Conclusion
At Southern Road Primary School we believe that, through promoting British values, our children will become responsible citizens for the future who show mutual respect and tolerance of others, value their own liberty and understand the rules of law and democracy whilst demonstrating care and compassion for all.
