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  • British Values & SMSC

    British Values and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural) development are woven throughout St. Gregory's Curriculum to help children become well-rounded individuals who understand and engage with the wider world. Here’s how these values are integrated, along with examples from the curriculum:

    Spiritual Development:

    • St. Gregory's Curriculum encourages children to explore and reflect on values, beliefs, and experiences that shape their understanding of the world. For instance, in Religious Education (RE), children learn about different faiths, exploring spiritual concepts such as purpose, meaning; to know and experience moments of awe and wonder. British Values such as democracy, tolerance, and respect for others are promoted through activities that allow students to explore different belief systems, cultures, and the importance of tolerance and respect for diversity.
    • Example: In RE, children explore the importance of compassion through stories of kindness from religious texts, equally promoting the British Value of tolerance.
      Example: History lessons look at the role of religion in shaping societies and the moral lessons embedded in key historical events, helping children understand British Values related to faith, belief, and tolerance.

    Moral Development:

    • St. Gregory's Curriculum encourages children to explore the concepts of right and wrong, justice, and fairness, often through discussions and role-playing. They are prompted to reflect on their actions and the consequences and impact for themselves and others.
    • Example: In PSHE, children are taught about fairness and justice, discussing the importance of making moral choices in real-life situations. This ties into the British Value of individual liberty and the importance of understanding and upholding the rule of law.
    • Example: In English, children study classic stories with strong moral lessons, like the importance of honesty in fables or the impact of integrity in historical figures, reinforcing the importance of ethical decisions.
    • Example: In History, children develop knowledge and understanding of concepts such as monarchy, empire, imperialism and democracy, all of which contribute to their understanding of individual liberty and the rule of law.

    Social Development:

    • Through St. Gregory's Curriculum, children engage in group work, collaborative learning, and discussions that foster respect, empath and cooperation, developing social skills such as teamwork, listening, and conflict resolution. British values such as respect and tolerance are actively promoted in classroom practice, encouraging inclusivity, kindness and understanding in an endeavour to encourage children to form positive relationships with one another.
    • Example: Geography learning often involves group work, where children research different countries and cultures, learning to value diversity. This aligns with the British Value of mutual respect and the importance of working together harmoniously in a multicultural society.
    • Example: In PSHE, children are taught about respecting others’ opinions and resolving disagreements respectfully, directly linking to the British Value of respect for others and the importance of tolerance.

    Cultural Development:

    • St. Gregory's Curriculum introduces children to a broad and rich cultural diversity of perspectives, promoting appreciation for the diversity that exists within the UK and beyond. Children are exposed to different cultural perspectives through History, Geography, and literature, helping them understand the importance of cultural heritage and the value of diversity.
    • Example: In History, children learn about the different cultures and traditions of people in Britain through time, exploring how different cultural influences have shaped modern British society. Equally, children learn of this concept when studying other civilisations and periods of time. This fosters a sense of respect and appreciation for cultural diversity, promoting the British Value of respect for different cultures.
    • Example: In Art and Design, children study artists from diverse backgrounds and cultures, engaging with different artistic traditions and creating their own work inspired by these influences, reinforcing the British Value of mutual respect and tolerance.

    By weaving these themes into everyday learning, St. Gregory's Curriculum ensures that British Values and SMSC are not taught in isolation but are part of a cohesive, engaging learning experience that helps children grow as thoughtful, respectful, and active citizens, prepared for a future in modern Britain.

    SMSC - Dene Academy

    British Values — Fazakerley Primary School