Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
The Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils is inherent in our curriculum, our behaviours and the culture of the school.
Bramley Oak Academy strives to develop pupils that are responsible and respectful with a strong moral purpose. SMSC supports this development so that our pupils become life-long learners, who play constructive roles as citizens in our diverse and multi-cultural society.
It is the responsibility of all staff at Bramley Oak Academy to ensure SMSC development takes place in all lessons and around the school at all times.
SMSC has four different aspects, formulated to help our pupils grow into responsible members of the community.
We encourage Bramley Oak Academy pupils to display the following traits:
- Spiritual Explore beliefs and experience; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.
- Moral Recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.
- Social Investigate moral issues; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the fundamental values of British democracy.
- Cultural Appreciate cultural influences; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
Promoting British values
Bramley Oak Academy is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the Britain. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
We follow equal opportunities guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. Bramley Oak Academy is dedicated to preparing Pupils for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all its Pupils.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The five British Values are:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The examples that follow show some of the many ways Bramley Oak Academy seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at Bramley Oak Academy, with democracy processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, School Council decisions and ideas as well as pupils and parents providing valuable input into school/ Trust policies.
The rule of law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Bramley Oak Academy. Pupils are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are highlighted in our Behaviour Policy. Pupils are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforce this message.
Individual liberty
At Bramley Oak Academy, Pupils are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff at Bramley Oak Academy educate and provide boundaries for Pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education.
Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety, PSHE and Form Time work.
Bramley Oak Academy has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Behaviour Policy.
Mutual Respect
Respect is a strong part of Bramley Oak Academy and is part of its core values. Pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved through equipping Pupils with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving the opportunities to experience such diversity within the school community.
Bramley Oak Academy strives endlessly to ensure that its Pupils leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our Society.
