Menu

SMSC & British Values

SMSC Overview:

At Onslow St Audrey’s, the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) guidance is at the heart of everything we do.

We aim to promote fundamental British Values and believe these include a sense of mutual respect and tolerance of differences (whether it be differences based on faith, beliefs, culture or background) within our community and in the wider society in which we live.

The school operates by a set of strong moral principles and we seek to actively promote these whenever we can. We want our students to develop into confident, assured individuals who have a clear sense of right and wrong and respect both the individuals and institutions that they encounter.

SMSC in the Curriculum:             

SMSC is embedded within our curriculum through subjects such as PSHME, History, Geography, and Physical Education. For example, in year 11 PSHME they learn about British values and democracy.

Tolerance and respect are core values at Onslow St Audrey’s. Students acquire an appreciation of and respect both their own and other cultures and traditions, whilst teaching students about different religions, also encourages students to discuss and explore concepts such and identity, diversity and community cohesion.

SMSC in the Pastoral System:

Beyond the classroom students have numerous opportunities that promote SMSC. A strong school ethos is promoted through regular assemblies and a daily tutor programme which encourages students to engage with issues relating to SMSC.

Vision:

To promote the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of our students and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

 Aims:

Encourage and guide pupils to:

  • Be reflective about beliefs, values and more profound aspects of human experiences to enable them to use their imagination and creativity and develop curiosity in their learning.
  • Develop and Apply an understanding of right and wrong in their OSA academy life and outside the academy.
  • Take part in a range of activities requiring social skills.
  • Develop an awareness of, respect towards, diversity in relation to, for example: gender, race, religion and belief, culture, sexual orientation and disability.
  • Gain a well-informed understanding of the options and challenges facing them as they move through the Academy and on to the next stage of their education and training.
  • Overcome barriers to learning
  • Respond positively to a range of artistic, sporting and other cultural opportunities provided by OSA, including for example developing an appreciation for theatre, music and literature.
  • Develop the skills and attitudes to enable them to participate fully and positively in democratic Britain.
  • Understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within OSA and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life

Definitions:

Spiritual

Beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform pupils’ perspective on life and their interest in and respect of, different people’s 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 and willingness to reflect on their experiences. A desire and willingness to reflect on their own beliefs, religious or otherwise.

Moral

Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and the pupils’ readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives. Understand the consequences of their actions. Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues. An understanding of the civil and criminal law of England and recognising the legal boundaries that apply to their own lives and actions.

Social

Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Willingness to participate in a variety of social settings, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively. Interest in, and understanding of, the way communities and societies function at a variety of levels. An understanding of what fundamental British Values may be and an awareness of how they can make a positive contribution to life in modern Britain.

Cultural

Understanding and having an appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage. Willingness to participate in, respond to, for example artistic, musical, sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities. Interest in exploring, understanding of, and respect of, cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity as shown by their attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socioeconomic groups in the local, national and global communities. Knowledge of British democratic systems, its history and its continuation to develop Britain.