Here at Burnopfield, we introduce the children to the values of the SMSC curriculum from an early age.
From Nursery to Year 6, we develop and nurture children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness in a range of exciting and challenging ways. These experiences are celebrated and displayed in classrooms and around school and can often be viewed on our amazing Twitter page. Key messages are introduced and reinforced daily and during themed assemblies, usually based on current events or needs of our pupils. The children are then encouraged and supported to explore these messages in real- life scenarios.
Spiritual
All children are given regular opportunities to explore their own and others’ beliefs and experiences; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about themselves, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and to reflect. Whole school RE day celebrations have provided additional opportunities for children to meet many visitors and explore a wide variety of faiths and beliefs. Class “Information Stations” and “It’s in the News” enable the children to explore and challenge what is happening in our world.
Moral
Children are also encouraged and supported to learn how to recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and to offer reasoned views. Our Expect Respect ethos forms the basis of all day to day dealings with others and is highly evident throughout school. A restorative approach to diffusing and resolving situations has also been introduced throughout school and has proved highly successful in encouraging children to take responsibility for their own actions and in helping them to find ways to move forward.
Social
Our children are given opportunities to practise and use a range of social skills; participate regularly in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the ‘British values’ of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance. Staff provide positive role models and School Councillors, consisting of representatives from each year group, meet regularly to put forward and discuss views, opinions and issues raised by their peers.
Cultural
All children are encouraged and supported to explore and celebrate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity. All staff are positive role models and promote our whole school ethos of tolerance and diversity. Teachers provide regular opportunities for children to reflect on and challenge their own and others’ thinking regarding a wide range of topics and experiences.
It would be absolutely impossible to detail all the wonderful things the children do here at Burnopfield Primary School but please take a look at our dedicated SMSC school Twitter page to view just a little snapshot of what goes on here.