British Values, SMSC and Culture

Students’ social development is shown by their:

• Building Positive Relationships
• Participating in the School and Wider Community
• Understanding and Respecting Social Norms and Values
• Developing Conflict Resolution and Emotional Intelligence
• Preparing for Life Beyond School
• Demonstrating engagement with British Values

We therefore aim to promote social development through (these are not exhaustive lists and students will encounter many additional opportunities):

1. Building Positive Relationships and Using Social Skills in Different Contexts

• Collaborating on group projects and teamwork activities in subjects like Science, Drama, and PE to build communication and cooperation skills.
• Socialising with students from different religious, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds through extracurricular activities, school trips, and peer mentoring programs.
• Participating in cultural awareness events (e.g., Black History Month, Show Racism the Red Card, Pride events) to foster inclusivity and understanding.

2. Participation in the School and Wider Community

• Taking on leadership roles such as school council, prefects, or sports leaders.
• Supporting school fundraising events for charities like MIND and Zoe’s Place.
• Representing the school in local and national competitions, including sports, or music events.
• Engaging with external organisations through work experience and employer talks.

3. Understanding and Respecting Social Norms and Values

• Learning about and discussing British values (democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance) in Citizenship, PSHE, and school assemblies.
• Respecting school rules, showing good sportsmanship, and demonstrating courtesy towards teachers, staff, and peers.
• Participating in Remembrance Day events or studying historical events that shaped social values.
• Following school expectations around social media use, respect for others, and online safety.

4. Developing Conflict Resolution and Emotional Intelligence

• Taking part in peer mediation programs to help resolve disputes in a fair and constructive way.
• Engaging in mental health awareness activities, such as well-being or mindfulness.
• Practising active listening and empathy through role-playing exercises in Drama and English lessons.
• Reflecting on personal actions and behaviours through tutor discussions, or form time sessions.

5. Preparing for Life Beyond School

• Participating in work experience placements, careers fairs, and CV-building workshops.
• Learning about financial literacy, budgeting, and independent living skills in PSHE or Maths lessons.
• Engaging in mock interviews and workplace skills training to develop confidence and professionalism.
• Understanding digital citizenship and responsible online behaviour, including the impact of social media on future careers.
• Learning about different career paths and higher education opportunities, including apprenticeships and university applications.

6. Demonstrating Engagement with Fundamental British Values

• Democracy: Learning about British Democracy in Citizenship lessons.
• Rule of Law: Understanding laws related to cyber safety, discrimination, and crime through PSHE, Citizenship, and guest speaker events.
• Individual Liberty: Expressing personal beliefs and opinions respectfully in classroom discussions and creative writing projects.
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance: Visiting places of worship, and learning about different religious and non-religious perspectives in RE.
• Contributing Positively to Modern Britain: Understanding issues around environmental sustainability, equality campaigns, and community initiatives.

Moral Development Students’ moral development is shown by their:

• Understanding of Right and Wrong – apply this in their own lives and therefore, respecting the civil and criminal law of England
• Respect for the Law and Ethical Principles
• Development of Personal Responsibility
• Engagement with Ethical and Social Issues
• Demonstration of Integrity and Empathy
• 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

This involves making our values and underpinning principles clear to all students, and is supported by:

• Quality of relationships
• Standards of behaviour
• Quality of leadership at The Prescot School
• The values the School sets and exhibits through its policies

We therefore aim to promote moral development though the following (these are not exhaustive lists and students will encounter many additional opportunities)

1. Understanding of Right and Wrong – Applying This in Their Own Lives and Respecting the Law

• Following school rules and expectations
• Understanding and discussing laws on online safety, discrimination, and hate crime.
• Learning about legal consequences of actions such as knife crime, cyberbullying, or substance abuse in workshops or assemblies.
• Acting as positive role models by challenging unfair treatment and promoting respect in peer interactions.

2. Respect for the Law and Ethical Principles

• Engaging with external agencies (e.g., local police, legal professionals) through school visits or guest speakers.
• Learning about ethical dilemmas in history (e.g., the Holocaust, civil rights movements) and how laws evolved to protect rights.

3. Development of Personal Responsibility

• Taking leadership roles in school councils.
• Showing accountability for their actions by engaging in restorative justice approaches when resolving conflicts.
• Setting personal goals and reflecting on how choices impact their academic and personal growth (e.g., through tutor time or mentoring).
• Participating in extracurricular activities that require commitment and self-discipline, such as sports teams, Duke of Edinburgh Award, or volunteering.

4. Engagement with Ethical and Social Issues

• Debating contemporary moral issues, such as climate change, animal rights, social justice, or artificial intelligence ethics, in subjects like Science, Geography, and Religion.
• Engaging in school initiatives such as charity fundraising for local and global causes (e.g., food banks).
• Exploring the impact of consumer choices (e.g., fast fashion, fair trade, ethical sourcing) in Business Studies, PSHE, or Geography.

5. Demonstration of Integrity and Empathy

• Standing up against bullying, discrimination, and injustice, either by reporting incidents or educating others.
• Reflecting on personal experiences and learning from others’ perspectives in English literature, Religious Education, or Drama.

6. Understanding the Consequences of Behaviour and Actions

• Discussing real-life case studies of crime and punishment, ethical decision-making, and moral dilemmas in PSHE or History.
• Demonstrating resilience and learning from mistakes, showing a growth mindset in both academic work and behaviour.

Spiritual Development Students’ spiritual development is shown by their: -

• Exploring of Personal Beliefs and Values which inform their perspective on life
• Experiencing of Awe and Wonder and a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
• Engagement in Reflection and Self-Awareness
• Understanding of Different Faiths and Worldviews and showing an interest in and respect for different peoples’ faiths, feelings and values.
• Development of a Sense of Purpose and Meaning
• Use of imagination and creativity in learning

We therefore aim to promote spiritual development through (these are not exhaustive lists and students will encounter many additional opportunities):

1. Exploring Personal Beliefs and Values

• Personal reflection essays in RE or English, where students write about their personal beliefs, the values that guide them, and how they influence their decisions.
• Group discussions or debates in class about ethical dilemmas, such as human rights, environmental issues, or justice, where students explore and articulate their own perspectives.
• Reflecting on their aspirations, personal goals, and how their values shape their future choices in PSHE or careers interviews.

2. Experiencing Awe and Wonder and a Sense of Enjoyment in Learning

• Science and geography field trips where students explore natural wonders, like visiting a national park or studying ecosystems.
• Art and music classes where students engage with works that inspire awe, such as studying famous artists or composing their own pieces.
• Literature lessons where students read books that expand their understanding of the human condition, like works of fiction that explore themes of hope, tragedy, or resilience.
• Visits to places of cultural and historical significance, such as museums, religious sites, or landmarks, where students can learn from different perspectives and experiences.

3. Engagement in Reflection and Self-Awareness

• Creative writing exercises that encourage students to reflect on their experiences, emotions, and personal growth.
• Mindfulness or meditation sessions during PSHE or form time, helping students to develop emotional awareness and resilience.
• Peer feedback activities where students reflect on each other's work or actions in a supportive environment, allowing for self-assessment and improvement.

4. Understanding Different Faiths and Worldviews

• Religious Education (RE) lessons that involve studying and discussing major world religions, encouraging students to understand and respect different beliefs.
• Guest speakers from various religious communities or philosophical backgrounds who share their perspectives and beliefs, fostering respect and dialogue.

5. Development of a Sense of Purpose and Meaning

• PSHE lessons and Learning for Life Days that guide students in exploring their passions, values, and how they can make a positive impact in the world.
• Careers lessons that help students connect their personal interests with future career paths, fostering a sense of direction and purpose.
• Leadership opportunities or extracurricular activities, where students take on responsibility and contribute to the school community’s development.

6. Use of Imagination and Creativity in Learning

• Drama and role-playing activities in which students explore different characters, situations, and perspectives, fostering empathy and creativity.
• Design and technology projects that allow students to create innovative solutions to real-world problems, using their imagination to build and design.
• Art and music compositions where students express their inner thoughts, emotions, and interpretations of the world through various creative mediums.
• Creative writing in English, where students use imagination to craft stories, poems, or scripts that explore diverse themes and ideas.

Students’ cultural development is shown by their:

• Understanding of and respect for different cultural influences (including within the Prescot School community)
• Engaging with cultural experiences
• Promoting respect and inclusion
• Exploring global and national issues
• Encouraging self-expression and heritage celebration
• Celebration of diversity as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

We therefore aim to promote cultural development though the following (these are not exhaustive lists and students will encounter many additional opportunities)

1. Understanding of and Respect for Different Cultural Influences

• Participating in discussions about different cultural traditions.
• Reading literature from a variety of cultures in English lessons, such as texts by authors from different ethnic and social backgrounds.
• Learning about different artistic styles, music, and performance from around the world in Art, Music, and Drama classes.

2. Engaging with Cultural Experiences

• Attending theatre productions, museum visits, and music performances to experience different cultures first-hand.
• Participating in school trips to culturally significant locations, such as historical sites, places of worship, or international visits.
• Joining cultural clubs or groups (e.g., language clubs).

3. Promoting Respect and Inclusion

• Leading or participating in anti-bullying campaigns that promote respect for all cultures.
• Engaging in school assemblies and discussions on discrimination, tolerance, and inclusion.

4. Exploring Global and National Issues

• Discussing topics like migration, climate change, and global conflicts in subjects like Geography and History.
• Learning about human rights and equality movements, both in the UK and globally.
• Learning about fair trade and ethical consumption initiatives through school projects.

5. Encouraging Self-Expression and Heritage Celebration

• Creating art, music, or drama performances that reflect personal cultural backgrounds.
• Reading poetry or stories about identity and heritage in English lessons.

6. Celebration of Diversity Through Tolerance and Attitude

• Being an active bystander—challenging discrimination and promoting inclusivity.
• Respectfully learning about different faiths and beliefs in Religious Education.
• Collaborating with local organisations to raise awareness about social and economic issues