British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development

Winterbourne Academy recognises the significance of students receiving a multi-faceted education supported by a strong set of British Values.

What are British Values and SMSC? 

British Values refers to a set of values that the UK Government believes are important for children to learn. These are: 

1. Respect for the rule of law: everyone in society is treated equally and fairly, and that everyone follows the same rules and laws. This value promotes a sense of order and stability in society, and helps to prevent crime and other harmful behaviors. The UK justice system is a large part of this, including laws, police officers and courts.
2. Individual liberty: allows people to pursue their own goals and interests, providing they do not harm others and is based on the idea that people should be free to make their own decisions and choices provided they are within the bounds of the law.
3. Democracy: Democracy is the foundation of the UK's political system and is based on the idea that everyone should have an equal say in how their country is run, and that the government should be accountable to the people (e.g. voting, elections and referendums).
4. Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs: promoting the understanding and acceptance of people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs, helping to create a more inclusive and diverse society.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum.

SMSC development is vitally important as it enables students to: 

• Be well-informed about options and challenges facing them as they move through school and beyond
• Reflect on beliefs and values, and acquire an appreciation of, and respect for, our diverse British culture, and other cultures around the world in a way that promotes tolerance and harmony, safeguarding against the risk of developing extreme or radical views. 
• Develop useful ‘soft employability skills’ – self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence, team working, communication, problem-solving and adaptability.
• Distinguish right from wrong and understand and respect the law.
• Develop a broad general knowledge of public institutions and services.
• Act responsibly for their behaviour in school.
• Develop into responsible citizens who can show initiative and make a positive contribution to their local community and wider society.

Through the development of SMSC at Winterbourne Academy we aim to: 

• Promote fundamental British values (including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs) and challenge extremist views. 
• Ensure that everyone connected with the school is aware of our values and principles.
• Provide each student with a range of opportunities to reflect upon and discuss their beliefs, feelings and responses to personal experiences and cultural, historic and current events or issues.
• Enable students to develop an understanding of their individual and group identity.
• Enable students to develop an understanding of their social and cultural environment and an appreciation of the many cultures that enrich British society.
• Give each student many opportunities to explore social and moral issues, and develop a firm sense of social and moral responsibility.