British Values & SMSC
British Values
Wolsingham School actively promotes the fundamental British values of:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Through a range of structured activities, students develop an understanding that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in Britain are subject to its law. The school’s ethos and teaching supports the rule of English civil and criminal law and students are also made aware of the difference between the law of the land and religious law.
The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils through the school promoting fundamental British values:
- An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
- An appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;
- An understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence;
- An understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;
- An acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour;
- An understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.
For subject specific examples of British Values please see the document below.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
The school’s thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and their physical wellbeing enables pupils of the school to thrive in a supportive, highly cohesive learning community. Through ensuring pupils’ SMSC development, schools can also demonstrate they are actively promoting fundamental British values.
Through our school ethos, curriculum and community links, we will work towards allowing students to:
- Develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
- Distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
- Accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
- Acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
- Promote further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
- Understand and respect for other people
- Understand and respect democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
For subject specific examples of SMSC please see the document below.
International Links
Wolsingham School has established a strong exchange programme working in partnership with Most Education. The school continues to develop this programme to provide students with unique opportunities and experiences. Along with being a member of the British Council, the school has also gained the UNESCO Associated School Award.
Students have multiple opportunities to host foreign exchange students, where they can build significant, lasting relationships which allow them to experience other cultures for the first time from the comfort of their own home. They develop communication and leadership skills and build confidence. This allows them to have priority places on the return exchanges where they are able to visit their exchange partners in their home country.
In recent years, we have hosted numerous exchange students from China and many of our students have become International Ambassadors.
