Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural Education (SMSC) & Fundamental British Values (FBV)

Introduction

At Alfriston School we recognise that the personal development of pupils spiritually, morally, socially and culturally (SMSC) plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve.  Through the school’s SMSC curriculum, we promote fundamental British Values. The development of SMSC is an inherent part of the way we work. It is embedded in the culture of the school, modelled by staff and children throughout the day, taught overtly in Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) and Religious Education (RE) lessons and is recognised and celebrated alongside personal and academic achievements.

We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children 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 cultures.

What is Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC)?

Children’s spiritual development is shown by their:

• Collective worship opportunities to reflect in a period of calm.
• Engagement with our local churches.  Despite not being a church school, we have very good links with three local churches. Children take part in and lead services and events at St Andrew’s Church in Alfriston, and at Berwick Church, and the Seaford Baptist Church visits the school each month to lead an assembly.
• Work and activities with other schools, RE lessons and visitors to the school.  The pupils show a great respect for other religions and an interest in the faith of others.
• Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values.  We regularly have visitors from all walks of life and with a variety of skills and experiences. 
• Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.  We ensure that our children experience the wonder of the natural world and amazing phenomena.
• Use of imagination and creativity in their learning willingness to reflect on their experiences.

Children’s moral development is shown by their:

• Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognize legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England.
• Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions.
• Behaviour, kindness and support for each other.
• 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.
• Enthusiasm and engagement in the ‘buddy system’.  Year 6 Buddies look after the Reception children both in school and on the playground. 

Pupils’ social development is shown by their:

• Good manners and well-developed social skills.  Visitors to the school and adults in our community always report that the children’s behaviour and manners are excellent. 
• Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other children, both in school and when mixing with children from other schools during sports events and on school trips, 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 British Fundamental 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. For further information, please refer to British Fundamental Values section below.
• Eagerness to hold a ‘leadership role’ ie. School Council, House Captain, Sports Captain. 
• Engagement in house competitions.  The children organise these themselves and many children take part, contributing to them becoming more confident and secure.

Pupils’ cultural development is shown by their:

• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those of others
• Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• 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, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

Fundamental British Values (FBV)

Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools.  The DfE state:

“Schools should promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. This can help schools to demonstrate how they are meeting the requirements of section 78 of the Education Act 2002, in their provision of SMSC.

Actively promoting the values means challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to fundamental British values. Attempts to promote systems that undermine fundamental British values would be completely at odds with schools’ duty to provide SMSC. The Teachers’ Standards expect teachers to uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. This includes not undermining fundamental British values.”

Departmental advice for maintained schools - November 2014

At Alfriston, fundamental British Values (FBV) are promoted in so much of what we do, not least during our school assemblies, RE, SMSC education experiences, and PSHE lessons.

An understanding of democracy is developed through our School Council.  Following a vote, each class elects a School Council representative. The School Council meet at least once a term to bring to the table any issues or ideas from their class. In addition, the children are consulted about their ideas for school improvement and school policy making.

Our Vision and Values

At Alfriston, we promote our school vision ‘Fair, Friendly, Fulfilling & Fun!’ which supports the children to develop and demonstrate the skills and attitudes that will enable them to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, leading them to being able to contribute fully to modern life. The vision guides our behaviour, helping us to make the right choices. They enable us to live and work happily together.

Our vision links to the fundamental British Values, namely:

• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual tolerance and respect of those with different faiths and beliefs.

All staff are involved in developing the fundamental British Values with the children through our strong school vision and our Life values (collaboration, creativity, independence, determination and curiosity). They are evident in the way that children and adults interact throughout the school and threaded throughout school life.