Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education

British Values

At Valley School we promote ‘British Values’ through our spiritual, moral, social and cultural education, a central aspect of our curriculum

We recognise that development in these areas is most successful when those values and attitudes are promoted by all the staff who provide a model of behaviour for our children.

Democracy:

Developing communication skills is the most important area of learning and a core area of our curriculum.  We ensure that pupils are given a ‘voice’ to communicate, in whichever way is most accessible for them. We also endeavour to empower our pupils by, for example, giving them opportunities to make choices. By valuing each ‘voice’ and by listening and responding to children we embed the spirit of democracy into the children’s everyday school life. Voting for different options forms part of many planning activities that the children take part in and through this children gain experience of being part of groups whose ideas are adopted as well as coping when they aren’t.

Rule of Law:

Valley school staff are committed to providing a consistent and predictable environment within the school and beyond. Children are supported to learn to manage their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.  We can help some pupils to understand the connection between actions and consequences. This type of environment enables pupils to feel safe and secure; this in turn, promotes the optimum conditions for learning to take place.

Individual Liberty:

Children are encouraged to become good and valued citizens, an aim we actively work on by supporting each child to become as independent as possible. We work with our children to support their understanding that everyone has rights and that this includes the right to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to ideas or activities. Some of our children are able to take responsibility for particular roles and to understand that with certain rights comes a level of responsibility. All of our children are supported to understand the impact of their choices and actions on others.

Mutual Respect:

We promote each child’s inclusion in activities, settings and locations that are appropriate to them individually and that meet their needs. Within school, children work with a range of people and interactions with others are always positively structured. The curriculum is personalised and planning for children may include working in groups of differing sizes, with children from other classes, in a variety of places in school and going out into the community. Here they are supported to meet and engage positively with a range of people in a variety of situations which include: sports events, community events and shared participation with other schools. We also have a strong integration programme, linking with local primary schools and facilitating children from these schools to work with classes at Valley or for children from Valley to join a class, often at their local primary school.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs:

We are part of a school where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.

We place great emphasis on planning and participating in events and celebrations to broaden our children’s experiences and awareness of others.

Our weekly Assemblies support our children in finding out about themselves and others. The themes cover areas such as: friendships, helping others and exploring celebrations from a range of faiths. Assemblies also offer opportunities for the children to experience British Culture, focussing on key national events such as the Olympics. The children also take part in celebration days lined to national events such as the Queen’s jubilee. We support others by participating in charitable events such as, Red Nose Day.

As a school, we take part in sporting activities which helps to instil ‘fair play’ and engender a ’team spirit’.

Valley School

May 2016