SMSC & British Values | Ossett Academy

The Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of our students has always been at the centre of the education offered at Ossett Academy. Our approach to SMSC is embedded in the ethos of mutual respect, tolerance and collaboration; an approach that is key to a full and positive participation in life in Britain today.

We recognise the multi-cultural and changing nature of society in the United Kingdom. The ethos of the academy is traditionally one of a caring and understanding community which values truth, honesty, respect for property, and self-discipline. Ossett Academy rejects bullying, cheating, deceit, cruelty and dishonesty. All adults model and promote expected behaviour, treating all people as valuable individuals and showing respect for students and their families.

Examples of how fundamental British values (including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs) are actively promoted at Ossett Academy include:

Academy aims and ethos statement
Student Voice activities
Life (PSHE) Citizenship lessons
Religious Education (RE) lessons
Discussion within curriculum subjects
Extra-curricular activities
Remembrance Service
Assemblies
Charity work
Sporting events
Educational visits and other learning outside the classroom.

Through the range of activities offered we aim to enable our students to develop their:

Self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
Their acceptance of responsibility for their behaviour
Their understanding of how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality in which the academy is situated and to society more widely
Tolerance, understanding and respect for their own and other cultures
Respect for other people, with particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010
Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process.

These are the skills and attitudes we believe will allow our students to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

How We Support Our Pupils' Development

Spiritual Development

We support the spiritual development of our students to enable them to develop their:

Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in 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.

Moral Development

We support the moral development of our students to enable them to develop their:

Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, and to apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, 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 being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

Social Development

We support the social development of our students to enable them to develop their:

Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils 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 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.

Cultural Development

We support the cultural development of our students to enable them to develop 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 within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
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, sporting and cultural opportunities
Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity
Tolerance towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.