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British Values and SMSC

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) education is a key part of everything we do at Medeshamstede, helping students grow into kind, confident and thoughtful young people.

Through our curriculum and daily school life, we support students to understand right from wrong, respect the law, appreciate different beliefs and cultures, and make sensible, informed choices. We want our students to feel proud of who they are and confident in the role they play in their school, their community and the wider world.

Learning About British Values

British Values are introduced in ways that are meaningful and relevant for students. We encourage students to:

  • Understand democracy and why having a voice matters
  • Learn about the rule of law and the importance of fairness and rules
  • Build self‑confidence and self‑belief
  • Take responsibility for their actions and understand how they can make a positive difference.
  • Learn about and respect public institutions and services
  • Show respect, tolerance and understanding towards others and celebrate different cultures

These values help students understand what it means to live in today’s diverse Britain and support their overall SMSC development.

Bringing Learning to Life with Picture News

In The Picture

To make this learning engaging and relevant, we use Picture News, a weekly resource based on real‑world news stories. Through discussion and reflection, students explore important themes such as democracy, mutual respect, tolerance and individual liberty. Students also learn about protected characteristics and the UN Rights of the Child, helping them see how these ideas connect to everyday life.

Listening to Pupil Voice

We also place great importance on pupil voice. Our School Council, elected by the students, gives students the opportunity to share ideas, influence decisions and learn how democracy works in practice.

By weaving SMSC and British Values throughout school life, we aim to prepare our students to be caring, responsible and respectful members of their community, now and in the future.

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