'Lutterworth Values'
The curriculum at Lutterworth College aims to develop an environment where students' SMSC development can flourish.
We will provide opportunities for all students to learn and achieve and also promote students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development to prepare all students fully for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences available to them. Lutterworth College will actively promote the development of fundamental British Values.
The information below outlines how Lutterworth College delivers SMSC and the promotion of fundamental British values in accordance with s.78 Education Act 2002 and the DfE advice document ‘Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools.’ November 2014
Our promotion of Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural development
SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development) is promoted arcos our entire College curriculum and is a real strength across all areas of College life. Our main faculties map where opportunities for SMSC, and British Values, occur within daily lessons.
Maths, Business & Computing - link here
English, Media & MFL - link here
Science & Technology - link here
Humanities - link here
PE & The Arts - link here
Our promotion of British values in school
The government set out their definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy and these were further enhanced in September 2014. These new regulations will sit alongside the requirements of the Equalities Act, which also applies to all types of schools. Schools will be expected to focus on, and be able to show, how our work with students is effective in embedding fundamental British values.
Promoting British values at Lutterworth College
We agree with the Department for Education’s five-part definition of British values:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- welcoming different faiths and beliefs (the official term used in FBV is ‘tolerance’, however we prefer to use the term ‘welcome’)
Lutterworth College students encounter these principles throughout everyday school life. In particular, our promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding across the curriculum ensures all subjects encompass these key themes.
The curriculum is mapped in detail across the whole school. Listed below are some examples of how we promote these values in our school community:
Democracy
Student voice is significant in regards to life Lutterworth College. Our student elected school parliament plays a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making Lutterworth College a better place to learn.
Our curriculum is rich and diverse. Students study a wide range of subjects in Key Stage 3 and 4 and developing students’ understanding of democracy forms a key part of many programmes of study. For examples our students study Lord of the Flies in English, where a great deal of time is spent exploring the importance of establishing a democratic society.
The Rule of Law
Our students will encounter rules and laws throughout their entire lives. We want our students to understand that whether these laws govern the class, the school, the neighbourhood or the country, they are set for good reasons and must be adhered to.
This understanding of the importance of rules is reinforced through assemblies and our curriculum. Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including representatives from a range of religions, police officers, war veterans, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the rule of law for our pupils.
Individual Liberty
We invest a great deal of time in creating a positive culture in our school, so that children are in a safe environment where choices and freedoms are encouraged. Promoting independent learning is important to us and we encourage our sixth form students to use their study periods effectively. We offer a range of clubs which students have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests. Through our PSHCE programme, assemblies and our Citizenship curriculum we educate students on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely. At Lutterworth College we believe that valuing choice and freedom in daily school life will foster a value for individual liberty as the children embark upon their adult lives.
Our curriculum model ensures that all students have equal access to all subjects. Equality and parity are incredibly important to young people and we ensure students all benefit from a curriculum that is broad, rich and diverse.
Mutual respect
Mutual respect is at the core of our school life. Students learn to treat each other and staff with great respect. This is evident when walking around the school and in the classrooms. We believe that great teaching is based on great relationships and our staff work hard to forge strong professional relationships, based on mutual respect with our students and their families.
Welcoming different faiths and beliefs
At Lutterworth College we offer a culturally rich and diverse curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. We strongly believe that tolerance is gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum and the routines of our daily school life, we strive to educate our students to celebrate diversity and welcome different faiths, beliefs and cultures. Our annual Diversity Day events are a celebration of the differences between people and these are always very well received by our students. Ultimately we strive to develop our students into well rounded individuals who are knowledgeable and understanding citizens and who can build a better Britain for the future.
Further examples of how we educate our students on Fundamental British Values are:
- Personal development Option: every student in Year 10 has to choose between studying GCSE RS or GCSE Citizenship. Through these courses we deliver a large amount of PSHCE and SMSC content.
- Assemblies: these are planned for the year and across Year groups to include a variety of topics, including British values. These are delivered through a combination of progress Leaders, our Chaplaincy team, teaching staff, visiting speakers and students. They include our thought for the week.
- Mentor time: students have 25 minutes of mentor time per day. Across a week, this includes a whole school broadcast message from the Head of College and/or our school chaplain and an assembly. In the remaining 3 days, students receive additional mentoring and guidance including further exploration of British values in a non-examined part of the school day. Activities also include personal mentoring and support, team work and quizzes and information, advice and guidance on further education and careers.
- College Parliament: launched in 2015, this group is made of representatives from every Year group and the senior leadership team and they discuss and agree actions on a variety of issues that are important to our students.
- Trips and visits: there are opportunities for students in different year groups to experience our values in action. This year we have welcome South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa to speak with our Post 16 History and Politics students. We have also organised trips to Parliament and the Galleries of Justice.
- Diversity day: students have the opportunity to learn and experience different faiths, cultures and traditions through our off-timetable Diversity Day. This year we are planning a trip to visit local churches, mosques and temples and in previous years we have hosted large number of different visitors from a range of faiths and cultures.
- Chaplaincy Team: a visible presence in our school, providing group sessions and our Christian Union
- Curriculum: SMSC and British values are explored across our curriculum in a variety of different ways in different subject areas. Formal lesson plans provide an area for teachers sign post opportunities within a lesson where these are covered.