Seven Mills

Primary School

Ambitious, Compassionate
& Empowered

British Values and SMSC development

British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural  (SMSC) Development

At Seven Mills we are proud to be a community-centred school, where children grow to be ambitious, compassionate and empowered individuals and members of society. Our school curriculum, and our wider opportunities, are planned to support children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development whilst promoting and upholding British Values. 

British Values are defined as: 

  • democracy (a culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.)

  • the rule of law (the need for rules to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work.)

  • individual liberty (protection of your rights and the rights of others around you.)

  • mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs (understanding that we all don’t share the same beliefs and values. Respecting those values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own onto them.)

At Seven Mills, some of the ways in which we promote British Values are through: 

  • Our school council, who are elected each year and engage the school’s opinions through weekly questions, class meetings and pupil surveys

  • Developing class charters, with agreed rules to promote a productive learning environment

  • Following the Tower Hamlets RE scheme of learning, which promotes tolerance of different faiths and those without faith

  • Following the JIGSAW scheme of learning in PSHE 

Provision for the spiritual development of pupils includes developing their:

  • ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life;

  • knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values;

  • sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them;

  • use of imagination and creativity in their learning;

  • willingness to reflect on their experiences.

Some of the ways we foster our children’s spiritual development are by: 

  • Following a diverse RE curriculum that covers a range of faiths and beliefs that is taught through exciting and experiential lessons

  • Following the JIGSAW PSHE curriculum which incorporates mindful practice 

  • Embedding opportunities for reflection within our lessons

  • Ensuring children have opportunities to visit a different religious place of worship each year 

Provision for the moral development of pupils includes developing their:

 

  • ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, and to recognise legal boundaries and, in doing so, respect the civil and criminal law of England;

  • understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions;

  • interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

Some of the ways we foster our children’s moral development is through: 

  • Encouraging children to take responsibility for their actions through a restorative approach to behaviour, and opportunities for leadership roles through our playground monitor scheme and jobs for Year 5 and 6 children

  • Delivery of a discussion-based approach, rooted in our work around oracy, speaking and listening, in our RE and PSHE curricula

Provision for the social development of pupils includes developing their:

  • use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds;

  • willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively;

  • acceptance of and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Some of the ways we do this at Seven Mills include: 

  • Working alongside and socialise with other Isle of Dogs schools on a variety of projects, including the SEND sports group and Pupil Parliament

  • Opportunities for children to volunteer and raise money through Children in Need, Red Nose Day and our charity partnership with Mudchute Farm

  • Encouraging collaborative learning approaches through our work with Tower Hamlets oracy hub to enable children to develop the skills to successfully collaborate and challenge one another respectfully

 Provision for the cultural development of pupils includes developing their:

  • understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others;

  • understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain;

  • ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities;

  • knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain;

  • willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities;

  • interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept and respect diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

At Seven Mills some of the ways we develop children’s cultural awareness are through: 

  • A diverse, inclusive and outwardly looking humanities curriculum

  • Celebrating culturally significant events in school, such as Black History Month, Shakespeare Week and religious festivals

  • A rich English, Art and Music curriculum that exposes children to the very best in creative expression form around the world

  • Additional music tuition in a range of instruments, including the recorder, the ukulele and drums