British Values
At our academy, we believe every pupil has the right to learn about and appreciate the rich and diverse culture we live in.
By teaching British Values, we aim to nurture informed, respectful, and considerate citizens who contribute positively to both our school community today and our wider local community in the future.
Through our curriculum and wider opportunities, children are encouraged to share their views with confidence while learning to value and respect the opinions of others.
We are proud of the compassion, empathy, and understanding our pupils show towards differences, and we thoroughly enjoy helping them explore the important role they play within society.
Further information
Any child wishing to help to improve the academy can nominate themselves as a candidate for Student Councillor. The councillors are then elected through votes cast by their peers.
Our Chair of Governors talks to the children regularly about the local elections and voting system. We celebrate Parliament Week and teach the children about the democratic system of elections, voting and follow up work from politicians. This is carefully done so that the children learn in an age-appropriate manner, through the story The Election.
An annual visit from the Mayor of Wakefield takes place each autumn. A child is appointed (through application) to dress up as a ‘mini-Mayor’ and partake in a tour of the academy. The Mayor visits the classrooms, teaching children about the history of the role and the responsibilities they have. Then in the spring term the Student Council visit the Mayor’s Parlour to embed their knowledge and hear more about democracy. In addition, the children attend a Citizenship Ceremony, where up to 40 people become British Nationals, pledging their allegiance to the British sovereign. In addition, there are a wealth of additional leadership opportunities, both within our academy and on a wider Trust level. In year 6, children are given the opportunity to put themselves forward to be voted as Head Boy and Head Girl. Each candidate is asked to give an election speech which children then use to vote for the candidate they feel will best represent our academy. Head Boy and Head Girl lead pupil voice within our academy.
The importance of having a harmonious academy community is taught through our ‘Be S.M.A.R.T’ behaviour rules and academy family values. They are also embedded through our Accomplish Trust values. Children are taught that there are consequences for their actions and supported to reflect on how they could improve their choices going forward. Each class has our values and Be S.M.A.R.T rules displayed and sign to adhere to these at the start of each year. These are also displayed around our academy to reinforce and remind children of what is expected.
Safeguarding assemblies are planned regularly to remind children about our responsibility to keep them safe and also what to do if they feel unsafe. Visitors, including the NSPCC, are arranged annually and teach the children about their rights. This is also taught through teaching about discrimination and hate crime behaviour, through child-appropriate assemblies and visits from our PCSO’s. Our PCSO’s also teach the children about their job, support children struggling with anti-social behaviour and support children with understanding why laws are imposed and followed. The children learn that it is important to make a positive contribution to the society they live in and our vision is to create upstanding citizens for Castleford’s future. Curriculum coverage in the Early Years teaches children about ‘People Who Help Us’.
Children are taught about their rights and, on an annual basis, we go through ‘the rights of a child’ in assembly. This draws comparisons to different countries and the past, where not everybody had the same rights. We thoroughly enjoy discussing the Equality Act, 2010, and the Protected Characteristics and how Individual Liberty is facilitated in Great Britain. ESafety work is carefully planned to ensure that children know their rights online. Particular focus is given to this during Internet Safety Day each year. Pupil voice is central to our learning so that children can talk safely about their experiences and concerns.
Trained staff are there to support children and provide advice. PSHE lessons deepen understanding of Individual Liberty further through exciting PSHE topic days and thoughtful assemblies. Pupil choices are threaded into the curriculum and outside of the curriculum including- pupil leadership opportunities, regular opportunities to vote and curriculum leaders asking the children what they feel about their learning in their curriculum areas. Children are asked what experiences they have had and leaders provide a wealth of opportunities for children to enhance their knowledge and skills. Pupil voice questionnaires also takes place to gather the children’s opinions about their academy. Outcomes are then discussed with the Student Council and plans are put in place to address any areas that have arisen. The Student Council create an action plan and take ownership of their academy improvement.
Our Community display develops respect for the local community and tracks our contributions to make positive impact on our locality. Assemblies are held to teach children about the history of our locality and also the modern landscape. The curriculum design ensures that children are encouraged to take pride in their community and our vision aims to help children to build their own bright futures as Castleford’s future citizens. Our academy is becoming increasingly diverse and through our promotion of our values respect, courteous, responsibility and generosity, we teach the children that Mutual Respect means that we all don’t have to share the same beliefs and values. But that respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others is important, whilst not imposing our own beliefs.
We have a carefully considered behaviour systems in academy to promote good behaviour; these include use of positive reinforcement and praise for our Be SMART rules and Values. Children are able to recall each rule and provide examples as to how they follow each rule. Our collective worship assemblies ensure that children develop a respect for faith, with children using their listening skills to thoughtfully pose questions and discuss ideas with respect and consideration of those around them. Our Eco Warriors encourage children to respect the environment and our academy community, they work with the Smawthorne Welfare Team to develop the locality and complete litter picks.
Topic days for different religions and celebrations are planned, teaching children different faiths, including Diwali, Hanukkah and Chinese New Year. We learn about The Equality Act (2010), and discuss the importance of equality, diversity and being respectful for the Protected Characteristics. This is done by using stories, videos, songs and rea life examples and discussion is promoted to support children to think critically and question the actions of others. Black History Month is a real focus for development of inequality in the past and we also learn about the gender imbalance in different countries.
Children sing songs to celebrate their tolerance and acceptance of those around them. Visitors from different faiths and cultures, including Imran Kotwal, Father Keith and Etz Chaim, are invited into academy to share their beliefs and teach children about tolerance. Father Keith, our local Vicar, completes collective worship assembly’s half termly to teach children about the Christian way of life. Visits to the Parish Church develop an understanding of the Christian place of worship. Diversity assemblies are held half termly to encourage children to ask questions about different cultures and religions. Diversity week is held annually alongside Anti-bullying week, encouraging children to develop an understanding of our differences in academy, including: differences in skin colour, differences in what we choose to wear, differences in special needs etc. We consider the Equality Act 2010 throughout our daily practice and policies.
‘Pupils’ behaviour is good. They feel safe in school and say there is no bullying.’
‘Leaders’ work to support pupils’ personal development is exemplary.’
‘Pupils are extremely polite, friendly to visitors, and proud of their school.’
‘Governors, leaders and staff share the same vision to provide all pupils with a rich and exciting curriculum.’
‘Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary is a welcoming school where pupils feel valued.’
‘Leaders have high expectations for pupils which are reflected in displays of their work around the school.’
‘The school’s provision for personal development is extremely rich, with pupils involved in food bank collections, charity fundraising and community projects.’
‘Staff promote a real love of reading. Pupils eagerly discussed their favourite authors with inspectors.’
‘Staff work closely with families to support pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they achieve well.’
‘Parents describe Smawthorne as ‘a lovely school where children love attending and learning.’’