Fundamental British values & SMSC

British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development at Alston Primary School

At Alston Primary School we recognise not only the importance of allowing students to flourish academically but also spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally, so they are fully prepared for life in British society and for their roles as citizens, able to make the strongest possible contribution to the common good of all. Alston Primary School aims to provide our pupils with a curriculum which is ambitious, develops a lifelong love of learning and gives all our pupils the knowledge and cultural capital to succeed in life.

British Values statement

The DfE has reinforced their guidance given to schools to ‘actively’ 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, through their provision of the SMSC curriculum. (November 2014).

At Alston School, we take our responsibility very seriously to prepare children for life in modern Britain. We ensure that our Values Education including the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. Our Values Education including the British Values are threaded through the whole curriculum and every opportunity is taken to reinforce and embed them.

It is especially through our R.E, collective worship, SMSC and PSHE curriculum that provides excellent opportunities to elaborate and develop the children’s’ understanding. ‘The Values Education plays a significant role in pupils’ outstanding behaviour and excellent respect for each other’s feelings, religions, beliefs and cultures.’ (OFSTED 2013).

The examples that follow are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values at Alston Primary School.

APS Behaviour Policy direct link

SMSC development at Alston Primary School

The school recognises that there are six key areas of development that are interrelated and cumulatively contribute to the sum of a pupil’s development (personal development, social development, physical development, spiritual development, moral development, and cultural development).

The examples that follow are not exhaustive but offer an indication of some of the many ways we seek to develop SMSC across our curriculum. Our curriculum is constantly developing and evolving and each pupil receives personalised support.