Promoting British Values at Wednesbury Oak Academy

The DFE have reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigourous expectation on all schools to 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.’

The Government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014. At Wednesbury Oak Academy, these values are regularly reinforced in the following ways:

Democracy

Through our curriculum, our children are taught about, and encouraged to respect, public institutions and services.

Y6 prefects are elected democratically by their peers to serve the school community. They perform a number of responsible duties.

Children have an annual questionnaire in which their views are solicited.

Randomly selected pupils take part in pupil conferencing meetings with leaders within school to seek their views and opinions about learning at Wednesbury Oak.

The Rule of Law

Constant reinforcement is provided regarding the rules and laws that govern the class, the school and the country.

Class rules are developed with the children upon joining each new class. Pupils discuss the need for rules/laws and the reasons that they are needed. They understand class and school rules and are taught about laws in societies and the consequences of breaking those rules and laws.

The school behaviour system further reinforces the manner in which wider society operates.

Visits from the Police and Fire Service strengthen further the messages delivered within school.

Individual Liberty

At Wednesbury Oak Academy pupils are actively encouraged to make informed choices within the context of a supportive environment. Pupils are encouraged to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, through, for example, our PSHE and Online Safety work.

We have a robust anti-bullying culture and effective behaviour and safety policies in place.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children are taught that their behaviour has consequences and all members of the school community treat each other with respect.

Wednesbury Oak provides opportunities for the children to visit places of worship and we actively encourage visitors from a range of communities and organisations into school. The children study other religions as part of the curriculum.

SMSC at Wednesbury Oak

What is SMSC?

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must show how well their pupils develop in SMSC.

At Wednesbury Oak we promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through our curriculum. Explicit opportunities are provided in Religious Education, PHSE, Assemblies, our school ethos, extra-curricular activities and working with our whole school community.

Important skills are taught through our daily school life.

Spiritual Development

• To be able to reflect about their own beliefs that informs their perspective on life. They can reflect on and show respect for other peoples’ faiths, feelings and values.
• To be able to have fun and use their imagination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.
• To be willing to reflect upon their experiences.
• To listen and value the point of view of others and reflect upon them.

Moral Development

• To be able to recognise between right and wrong, taking responsibility for their own behaviour.
• To be able to understand the difference between right and wrong, understanding how this applies to the rule of law.
• To be able to understand the consequences of their actions and behaviour.
• To show an interest in moral and ethical issues, whilst being able to offer their reasoned views.

Social Development

• To be able to respect themselves and others, and to be honourable, honest and kind.
• To use social skills to enable collaborative working, to enable pupils to socialise with others successfully, inside and outside the school community.
• To accept and engage fully with the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.

Cultural Development

• To be able to understand and appreciate the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their heritage and that of others.
• To understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element for their preparation for modern life in modern Britain.
• To have a willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities.
• To develop an interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diver