British Values and SMSC

British Values

At Blenheim, our curriculum is broad and balanced and will help prepare our pupils for life in modern Britain.

Within the curriculum and our school life, we raise the profile of British Values by actively promoting the fundamental British rules of democracy, rules of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of all with different faiths and beliefs.

All of our children are inspired to reach their academic potential.  Through many different experiences, including residentials, we encourage and develop a range of life skills such as independence and initiative.  We encourage all of our children to be tolerant of each other’s differences and to respect everyone.  Finally, our children are taught the history of Britain dating back thousands of years and up to World War 2 and beyond.

Here are examples of the way British Values are built into our curriculum and whole school life.

Democracy

The culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities. Voting and elections are based on personal opinion and not influenced by others

• Children are involved in the democratic process e.g. voting and nominating within PSHE, voting for school councillors, school food ambassadors and eco-councillors. They have regular meetings and have their voices heard.
• Staff, pupil and parent questionnaires (including the My Health My School Survey) allow the school to act upon any comments raised, and allow the people’s opinions to be known.
• Through the broad and balanced curriculum, children learn how to debate in many different subjects, and defend their points of view.
• Children get to see democracy in action by visits such as the Leeds Youth Summit at Leeds Civic Hall.
• As an Eco Committee target this year, the children will be writing a letter to a current MP to advocate for urgent climate action.

Rule of Law

The need for rules and boundaries to make a happy, safe and secure environment to live and work (learn) in. Also, understanding the consequences if rules are not followed

• Clear and fair ‘class rules’ which were drawn up by pupils and staff during transition week (a week in Summer 2 term the children have with their new teacher).
• Webster Stratton behaviour policy which encourages children to take responsibility for their actions. Rules and boundaries are also established and followed through on the playground using restorative practice.
• Throughout history topics such as Romans, Ancient Greeks and Egyptians, children look at how the law has changed over time, making comparisons and relating to current law and legislation.
• During PE lessons and sporting competitions outside of school, the children understand that the referee makes the final decisions and these must be followed.
• Annual visits from authorities such as the local police, fire service, NHS.
• Lessons for all children on E-safety and how to keep themselves safe online though the Computing and PSHE curriculum.

Individual Liberty

The right to believe, act and express oneself freely. It is the protection of your rights and the rights of others through freedom of speech

• Weekly reflection assemblies both in class (‘No Outsiders’) and as a whole school (Picture News).
• Pupil Well Being Charter has been devised by the children
• Weekly achievement assemblies which celebrate success at school and from home.
• Mindfulness activities carried out to give the children the chance to express themselves freely.
• Through picture news assemblies, the children are taught about role models and inspiring individuals, who fought for equality and freedom.
• Many lessons and units of work explore children’s opinions. As a school, we teach how to do this positively.
• A wide range of extra-curricular activities and clubs are on offer, and the children are actively encouraged to make their own choices in a safe and supportive environment.
• Talented musicians seen in Year 3 given opportunity to learn another instrument in small groups in Year 4.
• Talented scientists given opportunities to go on focused school trip to things like STEM Fest where they can learn about different careers in this area.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance

Understanding that we don’t all share the same beliefs and values. Respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own

• RE lessons and assemblies promote tolerance and respect for others through actively promoting diversity through exploring different cultures and beliefs. We promote the celebrations of different faiths and cultures and learn how people from other cultures live and work both in class and through assemblies.
• PSHE curriculum and ‘No Outsiders’ in-class assemblies taught by the teacher explicitly teaches children to be tolerant and understanding of others’ differences.
• Comparison in Geography of different cultures and ways of life such as study of Jamaica,  study of Italy and study of North and South American.
• The children have the opportunity to visit places of worship and learn about religions from special guests in school that are important to different faiths and cultures:

Year 1 Buddhist Monk visitor

Year 2 Leeds Grand Mosque trip

Year 3 Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue trip

Year 4 Hindu Temple Trip

Year 5 Sikh Gurdwara

Year 6 All Souls’ Church Trip

• Lots of opportunities for debates and personal opinions to take place during lessons e.g. RE, Science, PSHE, PE and English.

Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development

At Blenheim Primary School, we aim to provide a caring environment where every child can thrive and is supported to achieve their unique and amazing potential.  As such, this means that the promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is at the heart of what we do and is everyone’s responsibility. Our school ethos ‘Aiming High in the Heart of the City’ is taken seriously.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development is promoted not only through planned opportunities across all the subjects of our enriching curriculum, but also through the ethos and culture of the school and the development of positive attitudes and values. Whenever additional opportunities to develop SMSC occur, we seize these moments to further encourage the children’s understanding and growth. Being in the heart of the city means these opportunities often come up. There are many examples of this at Blenheim Primary School:

Spiritual Development

• Whole School Assemblies and school prayer
• Lesson and Assembly Reflections
• PSHE curriculum
• Circle Time / discussion in class
• RE – reflections and discussions
• Mindfulness activities
• Visits
• School and Eco Council
• Residential Visits

Moral Development

• School and Class Rules
• E-Safety Week and Internet Safety Lessons
• Bikeability
• School and Eco Council
• RE Curriculum Planning
• RSHE Curriculum
• Anti-Bullying teaching through PSHE
• Community Police Officer visits
• Celebration / Values Assemblies
• Class Reward Systems
• British Values
• Charity Work – Raised money supporting Save the Children
• NSPCC Whole School Workshops
• Fire Safety Talks
• Takeover day- Y6 children take on the roles of staff across the school
• Watch performances

Social Development

• Sporting Teams and Events (including African Cup of Nations organized by the Nigerian community in Leeds)
• School Council, Food Ambassadors and Eco Council Leaders, including voting in class
• Charity Fund Raising
• School Performances – Reception Nativity/ Year 2 Christmas Performance/ Year 5/6 production/ Year 6 Leavers Assembly/ KS2 School
• Involvement in community events – Carol singing / Choir Visits
• Year 6 Transition Days at variety of schools in Leeds
• Selling Poppies for the British Royal Legion
• Home - School Agreement
• Degree in a Day at Leeds University
• Class Monitors
• PSHE curriculum
• World Book Day
• No Outsiders and Picture News Assemblies
• Newsletters
• Team Colour Challenges including Sports Day

Cultural Development

• No Outsiders and Picture News Assemblies
• Newsround
• Visits to Place of Worship – Church / Mosque / Synagogue/ Sikh Temple/ Hindu Temple (see above for year groups)
• Regular visits to the Leeds Library to watch a variety of performances
• Blenheim’s Got Talent
• Nativity Performances/ Y6 End of Year Performance
• Language of the Month
• Spanish Lessons
• Chinese New Year
• RE / Geography / History / Art / Music / Dance
• RE – handling artefacts

'No Outsiders' Assembly Coverage

Picture News Assembly Aut 1 2025

Picture News Assembly Aut 2 2025

Picture News Assembly Spr 1 2026

Picture News Assembly Spr 2 2026

Picture News Assembly Sum 1 2026