SMSC at The Bramble Academy

SMSC plays a huge role in the education of our students. The majority of students at Bramble Academy come from Mansfield Woodhouse or the surrounding area. This is an area of social deprivation and many of our pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The population of the area is predominantly White British with over 90% of the population either Christian or no religion. The delivery of SMSC across the Academy is vital to opening the minds of our young people and helping them appreciate the culturally diverse world we live in. Below is an overview of how/where SMSC is promoted throughout our curriculum.  Click the image below:


British Values at The Bramble Academy


Democracy

UN CRC Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account

  • We have an elected School Council. This is used as an opportunity to promote and teach about democracy and the electoral process.
  • The beginnings of democracy are taught through the curriculum in areas such as the Ancient Greek civilisation and The Roman Empire.
  • We have a variety of Leadership roles within the academy including Sports Leaders, Lunchtime Leaders, Leaders of the Week and Values Leaders.

The Rule of Law

UN CRC Article 19: Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them

  • All positive behaviour is based around our core values of Integrity, Inclusivity, Resilience, Endeavour and Ambition. These are recognised throughout the Academy. Rewards for showing these values are given in half termly Celebration Assemblies as well as throughout each term.
  • Throughout the curriculum, children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong even when it is difficult. This is also taught explicitly during PSHE lessons and reinforced in assemblies.
  • The local police officer / PCSO visits the school to talk to the children and explain about their role in society

Individual Liberty

UN CRC Article 31: All children have a right to relax and play, and join in a wide range of activities

UN CRC Article 15: Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights

  • Our broad and balanced curriculum in all year groups teaches about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration.
  • Pupils are offered a range of enrichment activities allowing them to follow their interests in art, music, sport etc.
  • Our PSHE curriculum covers areas of individual liberty throughout the school.
  • Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including online. This is done through computing lessons, assemblies, through the PSHE curriculum and events such as ‘Safer Internet Day’.

Mutual Respect

UN CRC Article 2: The Convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say and whatever type of family they come from

UN CRC Article 30: Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not

  • We have high expectations about pupils conduct underpinned by our 5 Core Values. This is reflected in our behaviour policy.
  • Using our Core Values, pupils are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, be supportive and to look for similarities while being understanding of differences.
  • Specific PSHE topics are delivered throughout school exploring mutual respect, as well as being a topic for assemblies.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

UN CRC Article 14: Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practice their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.

  • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through specific teaching on Religious Education in all year groups. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals.
  • Significant religious festivals are marked through assemblies.
  • Bramble Pledges include visits to religious places of worship as well as speakers coming in to school

At The Bramble Academy, part of the Evolve Trust, we live by our Core Values:

Inclusivity, Resilience, Endeavour, Ambition, Integrity

These Values underpin everything we do. We actively challenge pupils, staff and parents who are not showing those values or who express opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

Promoting British values through the curriculum

Schools should 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.

Through the provision of SMSC teaching at our school we:

  • enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
  • enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
  • encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to 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;
  • enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
  • further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
  • encourage respect for other people; and
  • encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.

At Bramble Academy:

Democracy is promoted through our school council and pupil questionnaires.

Visits from authorities such as the police and the fire services are used to reinforce the importance of the rule of law. The school ethos and behaviour policy revolve around 'integrity' as a core value, and discussions and assemblies focus on what respect and integrity means and how it is shown.

English: 

Our books have themes covering tolerance, mutual respect and democracy. Lessons look at how these themes are presented and how characters embody these values. Poetry, songs and languages from other cultures are explored.

Citizenship: 

Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal rights and freedoms, and are advised on how to exercise these safely. Topics such as equal rights, and e-safety will be taught.

Religious Education (RE): 

Lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others.

History and Geography: 

Pupils analyse events in UK and world history where British values have been tested such as both World Wars. In geography, pupils could look at how different cultures live and work throughout the world.