Our SMSC Curriculum and how we promote Fundamental British Values

At Furze Platt Primary Federation, we value SMSC. We are inclusive and diverse! We not only actively promote the social, spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at our schools – they sit at the very heart of everything we do! This was recognised by Ofsted during our most recent inspections.

We want our children to remember their SMSC lessons in our schools, to cherish these memories and embrace the opportunities they are presented with! Bringing SMSC alive is important at Furze Platt Primary Federation. Our SMSC permeates through our curriculum which has been carefully crafted so that our children develop their Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural capital. These are underpinned by our FPPF Values.

We use the vibrancy of our local community to learn from other cultures, respect diversity, co-operate with one another and appreciate what they have.

We enrich our pupils’ time in our school with memorable, unforgettable experiences and provide opportunities which are normally out of reach – this piques their interests and passions.

Promoting Fundamental British Values as part of SMSC

Through our provision of SMSC we:

• enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;

• enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;

• encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;

• enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;

• further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;

• encourage respect for other people; and

• encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of our school promoting fundamental British values.

• an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;

• an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;

• an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;

• an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;

• an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; and

• an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values have been reiterated by the Prime Minister. At Furze Platt Junior School these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Democracy is rife within the school. The Culture council/pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through our School Council and Environmental Council. The elections for our Councillors are based solely on pupil votes. Our school assemblies focus on a “word of the fortnight” and these include such examples as “world citizen” “democracy” “freedom” and “fair” where further investigation and understanding occurs.

Our school senior pupil posts are voted in by the pupils, including Head Boy, Head Girl and House & Vice Captains.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, as well as when dealing with behaviour and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Classes and year groups create their own class rules after discussion around impact of behaviours on themselves, their fellow pupils, the staff and the school environment. All pupils know their part in the school team. The class rules feed into ‘The FPJS Way’ which are rules based around our School Values.

Individual Liberty:

Within 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 for young pupils to make choices safely, through of provision of a safe environment and 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 is through the choice of challenge; of how they record work; or of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices.

Challenge choices in class work and our Homework topic grids ensure that children have choice and options to select their own learning opportunities.

Mutual Respect:

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around core values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. Posters around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as within our behaviour policy.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Religious celebration assemblies and discussions are supported by learning in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge in order to enhance learning within classes and the school.

FPJS building on British values:

Our assembly timetable maps SEAL, PSHE, British Values, School Values, Religious ceremonies and UNICEF work.

Our School Values reinforce the British Values work at Furze Platt Junior School. We celebrate diversity and educate our children to be part of a country rich in diversity and opportunities.

Our Calendar of events also highlights our traditional events and activities such as Harvest festival celebrations, Christmas nativities, Easter/spring celebrations and Remembrance Day.

Prevent agenda:

Furze Platt Junior School is aware of the possibility of radicalization and extremism and all staff have completed Channel training to raise awareness. Issue are addressed through assemblies and class work.

Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism

Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind.

Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.

Furze Platt Junior School has a zero tolerance approach to extremist behaviour for all school community members. We rely on our strong values to steer our work and ensure the pastoral care of our children protects them from exposure to negative influences.

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its children. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

• Children are encouraged to adopt and live out our Core Values. These complement the key “British Values” of tolerance, respect, understanding, compassion and harmonious living.

• Children are helped to understand the importance of democracy and freedom of speech, through the SEAL (Social, emotional aspects of learning) assemblies and through the elected School Council members

• Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, in school and when using the internet.

• Children participate in local community events so that they appreciate and value their neighbours and friends who may not share their faith background.

• Children’s wellbeing, confidence and resilience is promoted through our planned curriculum and extra curricular learning opportunities.

• Children are supported in making good choices from a very young age, so they understand the impact and consequences of their actions on others.

THE ROLE OF THE CURRICULUM

Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. Children are encouraged to express themselves through discussions, debates and consultations. The RE (Religious Education), PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education), Citizenship and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision is embedded across the curriculum, and underpins the ethos of our school. Children learn about all major faiths and visit places of worship wherever possible. They are also taught about how to stay safe when using the internet.  

Further Guidance for Parents: