British Values Statement & SMSC
Rosebery is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith, and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.
Rosebery follows equal opportunities guidance which seeks to guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. It is also crucial that Rosebery prepares its students for adult life, beyond the formal examined curriculum, preparing them for the diverse and dynamic community in which they will live and work. An understanding of British values is a critical part of this education.
The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 ‘Prevent Strategy’ – values of:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Rosebery uses strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for pupils.
The examples that follow show some of the ways in which Rosebery seeks to embed British values.
Democracy
- Elections are held for important decisions within the school community, for example for the Junior Leadership Team and for the Head Girl, Form Captain and Sports Captain positions. This fosters the concept of freedom of speech and group action to address need and concerns.
- Students are able to vote to choose which charity their Year Group will support.
- The principle of democracy is explored in History, Government and Politics, Law and Religious Studies curriculum as well as in assemblies where commemoration of events such as the ending of the First World War and presentations on the work of individuals such as Malala Yousafzai develop an understanding of the vital importance of democracy in securing a civilised and fair society for all.
The rule of law
- Rights and responsibilities are emphasised through our Student Learning Charter and through work undertaken in PSHCE and tutor time.
- In History students are taught the value, the derivation, and the reasons behind the laws that govern and protect us and by studying events such as the Holocaust demonstrate the potential appalling consequences of the absence of the rule of law.
Individual liberty
- Students are Rosebery are encouraged to exercise their right to free speech by representing their views to their Student Voice, Year Council and Junior Leadership Team representatives.
- Tutor time and PDE sessions encourage students to know their rights, but also the responsibilities that come with those but staff also work hard to set clear boundaries so that students can make informed choices in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Rosebery has a clear Anti-bullying Policy and Behaviour for Learning Policy.
Mutual respect
- Mutual respect is at the heart of The Rosebery Way, our statement of our values and ethos. We expect all members of the Rosebery community to treat each other with respect, consideration and integrity. Students learn through their interactions with staff, in assemblies and in tutor time that their behaviour has an impact on others.
- Students are encouraged to reach out to communities who are less fortunate than themselves and each year raise hundreds of pounds for projects around the world, demonstrating their respect for those who live in very different circumstances to ourselves.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
- Tolerance is emphasised through our Student Learning Charter and the Rosebery Way.
- Students benefit from the opportunity to visit different communities around the country and the world and receive international visitors regularly, including those from other continents and cultures.
- Our assembly themes, the KS3 RE curriculum and the KS4 enrichment programme provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
- We encourage students to understand their place within a culturally diverse society and above all to ensure that they leave Rosebery with a set of values which will ensure they continue to contribute positively to society as they enter adult life.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development
SMSC is a dimension of the whole school experience which makes the curriculum relevant, stimulating, creative and fun. It enriches each subject, embodies the ethos of Rosebery School and is an essential ingredient of school success.
At Rosebery School we recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally (SMSC) plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. SMSC is essential for children and young people’s individual development, as well as the development of society as a whole.
Ofsted highlights the importance of SMSC as central to the development and growth of pupils as people and at the heart of what teachers would say education is all about. SMSC has been part of education since the 1944 education act and was around in earlier forms before that. It can sum up what a good school is all about – preparing children and young people to live full active lives as part of their community and into adulthood.
