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SMSC / British Values

SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual, Cultural) opportunities are embedded at Laughton Junior and Infant School.

Our school is a Rights Respecting School. The ethos of our school is such that all people that come into our school, whether staff, pupil, parent or visitor, are valued as individuals in their own right. They should set, and be entitled to expect from others, good standards of behaviour, marked by respect and responsibility. The school will help children to develop an inner discipline and will encourage them to not just ‘follow the crowd’ – they will make up their own minds and be ready to accept responsibility for what they do. They will grow through making choices and holding to the choices that they have made. They will want to be honest with themselves and with others. The school will develop a climate or ethos within which all pupils can grow and flourish, respect others and be respected; accommodating difference and respecting the integrity of individuals.

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At Laughton Junior and Infants School, we strive to create a learning environment which promotes respect, diversity and self-awareness and equips all of our pupils with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they will need to succeed in their future lives. 

The curriculum provides a wide range of artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities that encourage pupils to work together and use imagination in their learning. Activities are planned that require pupils to reflect and empathise with others as well as giving them the confidence to provide their opinions and develop their own view points.

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Social Development

We encourage collaboration in learning and play and we work hard to give ample opportunity for this and to help children develop the skills necessary for it to be successful

  • We have many school events where children of all ages socialize and work together i.e. parties, concerts and productions.

  • We offer residentials for our KS2 children which encourage collaboration and team work

  • We have breakfast and after school clubs where children of different ages work together

  • We encourage termly school trips to stimulate and motivate pupils in their learning and to help develop social skills in settings other than school

  • We take part in a transition project with our local secondary school

  • We help develop children’s ability to be independent but also to be an effective part of a group

  • We help to develop children’s social skills in order that they can work successfully with a range of people

  • We work hard to develop an understanding of social requirements/skills required for life beyond school

  • Children are encouraged to solve problems/conflicts/tensions effectively by co-operating

  • We encourage discussion/debate about social issues in different contexts through news and the newspapers

  • We give children the opportunity to take responsibility in class and around school e.g. register monitor, assembly monitors, fruit monitors, sports leaders, house captains, and school council

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Moral Development

  • The purpose and values of the school permeates all aspects of day to day learning opportunities.

  • Pupils know right from wrong and are encouraged to make the right choices because it is the right thing to do and not because you will be rewarded

  • Children understand that when people make the wrong choices there are consequences that have to be dealt with

  • Children understand why rules (written or unwritten)are important in most settings

  • We promote resilience so that children don’t automatically give up when things go wrong. They find a way to persevere with problems and to move on

  • Children respect their environment (immediately within the school gardens and outdoor space and further afield) and understand that it is initially the small acts that “make the world a better place”

  • Children understand that making the world a better place has to start with their own everyday lives rather than on a worldwide scale

  • Children are considerate and respectful of others

  • We ensure that our children are safe both physically and in other ways e.g. stranger danger, internet safety. All children have signed an ICT agreement and e-safety rules which have been created, discussed, agreed and are displayed in each class

  • We praise and reward good attitudes, manners and considerate and respectful behaviour

  • We discuss issues beyond our school e.g. in the newspapers and on the news as well as discussing events in assemblies

  • All adults model positive relationships promoting principles we expect children to demonstrate

  • We encourage children to take responsibility for their own actions

  • We have displays and photographs which reinforce our moral values

 

Spiritual Development

  • We build and sustain high self-esteem in children by setting appropriate learning and social targets, supporting them to achieve them and praising all effort involved

  • We promote all learning as a positive experience and children are motivated to learn.

  • Children at Laughton J&I enjoy learning and are eager to learn more. They show interest and fascination in what they are learning

  • We encourage imagination and creativity in learning through a stimulating curriculum

  • We encourage children to develop critical and independent thought through use of higher order questions

  • We encourage children to reflect on their learning and to talk about what they are proud of in their learning and why. We also encourage them to think about what helps them to learn and why

  • School council collect evidence on how children feel about different issues in school e.g feeling safe

  • Children respond to their own and their peers’ work and to teachers marking and feedback/forward (green and pink marking)

  • We have achievement books where outstanding writing is recorded, names of those who have achieved their pen licences are recorded, reader of the week is recorded as are children who have received a ‘special mention’ in assembly.

  • We have a weekly ‘Special Mention’ achievement assembly where achievements are praised and celebrated

  • We celebrate class and individual good attendance through display, certificates, prizes

  • We have a stimulating RE curriculum which encourages reflection on their own beliefs, feelings and values as well as those of others

  • We have a reward system (Class Dojo and house points) which rewards children for achieving personal targets at their own pace.

 

Cultural Development

  • We work hard to develop a sense of belonging to Laughton J&I (wearing uniform with pride, being a member of a club, a school councillor or house captain, Sports Leaders etc )

  • We endeavour to ensure that children have as many new experiences as possible throughout their time at Laughton Junior and Infant School. These include day trips to museums, galleries and places of interest, visitors from other countries

  • We participate in Wider Opportunities where our pupils learn to play and enjoy brass instruments or more recently Ukulele

  • Pupils have the opportunity to join the school choir and participate in the Dinnington Big Sing and Rotherham Young Voices performances

  • We celebrate cultural heritage by celebrating both black and white history

  • We celebrate a variety of festivals from different cultures eg Chinese New Year, Diwali

  • We celebrate different cultures through artwork and display

  • We invite parents in to speak about their religion/culture

  • We have cross curricular work encompassing music, literature and crafts from other cultures

  • We are actively involved in cross curricular work such as the annual Rotherham Children’s Festival, World Book Day

  • We respect and appreciate others. We especially promote this through PSHE and in assemblies

  • We recognise and celebrate the richness of cultural diversity in Rotherham, Sheffield and in Britain

  • We visit local places of worship

  • We monitor classroom provision

  • We have celebrated the last Football World and European Cups acknowledging that Laughton Children will be supporting many different countries instead of or as well as England

  • We celebrated the most recent Olympics and Paralympics and applauded the achievements of those from all nations

  • We study different religions and how these relate to different cultures. Children are encouraged to respect the beliefs of others

  • We look at cultures close to home first then further afield

  • We recognise and nurture gifts and talents eg music/athletics

 

British Values

The Department for Education has recently reinforced the need "to create and enforce a clear and rigorous 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."

At Laughton Junior and Infant School, we reinforce British values regularly and in the following ways:

 

Democracy

All adults listen to the views of the children and value their opinions. The school is clear in demonstrating how children should contribute and co-operate and consider the views and needs of others. The School Council, whose members are elected by their peers, meets regularly and takes part in decision making on a range of topics. The children have further opportunities to have their voices heard through our Pupil Voice interviews and surveys.

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The Rule of Law

At Laughton J&I, we have a positive behaviour policy. Staff consistently reinforce high expectations of pupils and the children are reminded of the importance of rules in the classroom, as well as in school assemblies. They clearly understand the rewards and sanctions that are used. Pupils are taught to understand the need for laws - that they are there for individual protection, the responsibilities that they create and the consequences when laws are broken. Assemblies and discussions in class focus on recognising right from wrong. Visits from authorities such as the Police, RNLI and Fire Service help to reinforce these messages.

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Individual Liberty

The children are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. They are encouraged to express their views, and teaching and learning incorporates their preferences and interests. They are helped to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect. They are provided with opportunities to learn about what makes a good choice, while E-safety teaching enables them to make choices in a safe manner.

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Mutual Respect

All pupils are taught the importance of self-respect, honest and open communication with others and fair play. Pupils work collaboratively and value others’ opinions.

At Laughton J&I our values of respect and tolerance permeate all areas of school life. Our school ethos encourages everyone to consider and support each other and to celebrate the worth and individuality of every member of the school community. This engenders a climate within which the children feel safe and secure and facilitates the fulfilment of potential. All staff demonstrate respect to everyone with whom they come into contact. They consistently model and promote the behaviours and attitudes that are the foundation of positive relationships. Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally, regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.

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Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our school’s curriculum aims to develop understanding of the world and the children are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. The RE and PSHCE schemes of work provide opportunities for pupils to develop tolerance of and empathy towards those from different faiths and beliefs. The children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths.

Actively promoting these values, which are also integral to many other countries throughout the world, means challenging pupils, staff or parents/carers who express opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including ‘extremist’ views.

We, as a school, need to be mindful of our existing duties to forbid political indoctrination and secure a balanced presentation of political issues. These duties are imposed on maintained schools by sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996.

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