Since 2024
SMSC ‘at the heart’ of school development. SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The SMSC Quality Mark recognises schools who work to ensure that children and young people are able to make a positive difference to the society in which they live – locally, nationally and globally. We do this by helping them develop knowledge, skills and confidence. This is essential for strengthening and safeguarding our society and democratic way of life. We are extremely proud to have been awarded the National SMSC Gold Quality Mark Award, which is the highest possible accreditation.
Achieved in July 2024
At Oxford Grove Primary School we recognise that the personal development of children, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally (SMSC) plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We provide a structured programme of personal development to nurture the ‘whole child’ and increase learning capacity, underpinned by mindfulness philosophy and practice. We therefore aim to provide an education and environment that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop:
· their own values and beliefs,
· spiritual awareness,
· high standards of personal behaviour,
· a positive, caring attitude towards other people,
· an understanding of their social and cultural traditions
· and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of the cultures.
What are ‘British Values’?
The Department of Education (DfE) placed a duty on schools to promote British Values throughout school life, stating that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to 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.”
At Oxford Grove, we work hard to broaden our children’s experience, to prepare them for life and work in contemporary Britain. We teach them to respect and value the diversity around them as well as understanding how to make safe, well-considered decisions.
Our school community embraces and celebrates diversity. We place a strong emphasis on the common values that all communities share such as self-respect, tolerance and the sanctity of life.
Oxford Grove Primary School has planned for long-term coverage of all aspects of British Values. This coverage is constantly reviewed and updated so that we can take into account our rapidly changing community/world and different learning opportunities that may arise under these areas.
Mrs Bain leads our weekly British Values assemblies
Every week, we focus on a different value. We discuss why the value is important, and how we can show this value within our school.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
Below is a selection of activities within our school that address our children’s development of ‘tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs:
Rule of law
Below is a selection of activities within our school that address our children’s development of ‘the rule of law:
Individual Liberty
Below is a selection of activities within our school that address our children’s development of ‘individual liberty’:
Mutual Respect
Below is a selection of activities within our school that address our children’s development of ‘mutual respect’:
Democracy
Below is a selection of activities within our school that address our children’s development of ‘democracy’:
