SMSC

At Worthing High School we aim to create a culture that enables students and staff to excel. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our students is therefore at the heart of our school. We aim to develop confident, self assured learners who show respect for others’ ideas and points of view. The ethos of our school aims to ensure all students of Worthing High School become caring and active citizens both in school and in the wider community. Our students will leave prepared for life in modern Britain with a respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith. We have the highest expectations for social behaviour among our students where respect and courtesy is the norm and diversity is celebrated.

This dimension to every student’s learning is promoted, both within lessons and in extra-curricular activities. Here is just a selection of how this important dimension is celebrated in the life of our school.

British Values

Worthing High School is committed to working closely and in harmony with its community and celebrating the diversity of the UK. We aim to prepare students for life in modern Britain and to ensure that our school ethos, curriculum and approaches to teaching and learning reflect and promote British values.

We recognise that these values are not exclusive to being British and that they have come to be accepted throughout the democratic world as the method of creating an orderly society, in which individual members can feel safe, valued and can contribute to for the good of themselves and others.

We work alongside our local community and recognise the variety of religious beliefs within it. Students take part in local events and meet different members of the community to appreciate the valuable contributions they make. All subject departments are aware of the importance of transmitting British values through their curriculum content.

We take opportunities to:

· acknowledge, celebrate and commemorate national events and anniversaries related to key events in Britain’s past

· join in with international sporting events and find out more about the countries that host them

· support a number of charities that are selected by the students and arrange fundraising events

· invite members of the local community to our school events.

We understand the role that our school has in helping prevent radicalisation and supporting our pupils in developing a world view, recognising Britain’s place within it. The five British values are:

· democracy

· the rule of law

· individual liberty

· mutual respect

· tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Below we include more details about how each British value is embedded in our school.

British value

Statement

In practice

Democracy

Many of our school routines are built upon the concept of democracy. All students have opportunity as an individual, as a member of a tutor group and within subject departments, to influence decision making and to have a voice. They understand that they must use this voice responsibly.

Students are regularly consulted both formally and informally about how their school might be improved. They see the example that is set with staff working cooperatively with each other to make the school the best it can be.

Students gain a full understanding of the democratic process and other forms of government during the ‘Citizenship Day’ each year during enrichment week and during History lessons in Year 7.

They are provided with several opportunities to take part in the democratic process. For example, our students took part in the UK Youth Parliament elections ‘Make Your Mark’ in November voting for the top five issues in West Sussex that they are affected by. Each form group also took part in a Mock Election with the toolkit provided by the UK Parliament in May 2015.

Each form group has an elected Culture and Ethos Leader who represents the student voice in termly meetings. During these meetings students can make suggestions on how the school can make improvements and give their feedback on activities delivered within the school.

A School Council acts as the voice for our student body raising issues that students have brought to their attention. This is made up of an elected Head boy and Head girl as well as elected Culture and Ethos Leaders.

The rule of law

Students in our school understand the need for rules to make ours a happy and secure environment. Our behaviour policy is shared and understood and this provides a basis on which we discuss other laws and rules and how they apply.

Ground rules are established in all areas of the curriculum and students are encouraged to see the reasons for them.

Our school works closely with our community police officer who delivers assemblies and leads activities in PSHE lessons.

We set ground rules during PSHE classes where sensitive issues are discussed. IT lessons include discussion around data protection and our e-safety code of conduct.

In citizenship students learn about the legal system in the UK and the difference between civil and criminal law.

Individual liberty

The rights of every student are at the centre of our ethos. However, students must also recognise the boundaries there must be too.

Independent thinking and learning are encouraged and there are frequent opportunities for students to grow in maturity and independence.

We place an emphasis on respecting difference and valuing creativity.

External speakers such as Shami Chakrabarti who was the Director of Liberty (The National Council for Civil Liberties) are invited into the school to speak to students.

Our PSHE Programme is highly topical and students are given the opportunity to explore recent news stories such as those relating to the dangers of extremism and radicalisation.

Students during the Year 9 ‘Relationship Day’ are given clear guidance on a number of issues affecting the liberties of women around the world such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Themes in assemblies such as ‘Human Rights’, ‘Amnesty International’ and form group activities on ‘Current Affairs’ encourage student debate on individual liberty.

Mutual respect

We have a ‘Shared Rights and Responsibility’ ethos that was designed by the students to promote a school environment that allows all students to; learn without undue distraction and disruption, to be treated respectfully and to feel safe.

We recognise the importance of not only respecting one another but also of self-respect.

We have a clear anti-bullying policy which emphasises the importance of us creating an environment both within school and the wider world in which individuals can feel safe and valued.

Every individual is respected in our school and our actions towards one another reflect this.

Our students interact with the local community through our close links with local charities and organisations. Our biannual sponsored walk raises a significant amount of funds for Chestnut Tree House but also builds a mutual respect amongst our students.

Our student leadership structure gives students an opportunity to represent the school at community events such as the Broadwater Armistice Day Service. Other events include participation in Sports, Music, Dance and Drama performances, and our school Open Mornings and Evenings. As a result, our students are confident in their interactions with a range of people from across the community and understand how to address and engage with visitors in a polite and positive manner.

The staff code of conduct ensures that staff behave towards each other in an exemplary way, setting a good example for the students.

The language used between staff and students at all times is considered to be vital in showing how we respect one another.

The tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

We welcome difference and diversity and aim to create understanding of how this adds to the richness of our community.

We aim to do more than ‘tolerate’ those with different faiths and beliefs. We recognise the extent to which our own traditions and history have developed side by side and the rich cultural heritage that different world religions bring.

We believe that exploring and understanding other people’s faiths and beliefs are rewarding experiences and help us understand our own faiths and beliefs better.

Our RE curriculum which follows the Agreed Syllabus for West Sussex County Councilteaches about a range of faiths, religions and cultures.

Students are familiar with the principles which different religions hold and explore the main world religions as outlined in the Agreed Syllabus.

During the PSHE days throughout the year and throughout the curriculum our students are encouraged to develop mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faithsand beliefs. The PSHE days provide opportunities to challenge prejudice, stereotypes and assumptions as students explore, discuss and reflect upon religion, ethical issues and questions of belief.

Alongside these days International events are shared during themed assemblies throughout the school year to promote understanding of different faiths and beliefs. We also invite representatives from different religions into our school to deliver these assemblies.

Cultural Development

Students learn to appreciate a wide range of cultures in various curriculum subjects such as in English Year 8 students complete a Multi Cultural Poetry project, in Drama Year 8 students devise plays from various cultures. In PE Key Stage 3 students choreograph dances from different cultures and experience a range of alternative sports such as Boccia. In Maths students learn about exchange rates for foreign travel. In Art students study how artists have been influenced by culture.

· The school offers a range of extra curricula sporting, musical and artistic clubs which many of our students attend.

· During the Citizenship day in the enrichment week students learn about Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and how it continues to develop Britain.

· Religious diversity is also explored throughout the year in various assemblies and RE lessons.

· All students are offered the chance to experience other cultures in various trips to India, Italy, and Berlin. Trips to the theatre and museums are also offered.

Moral Development

During the ‘Current Affair’ tutor time activity once a week students are encouraged to debate global moral and ethical issues.
In RE students in Year 8 explore the importance and value of forgiveness and how this is expressed in religions. They are introduced to modern day disciples such as Father Damien, Mother Teresa and Brother Andrew.
In Year 9 students in History investigate the moral and ethical use of the Atomic bomb and how African Americans achieved civil rights in the USA. In Year 8 students explore the reasons why slavery of Africans happened and the attitudes towards slavery in America in the 19^th century
In Science students debate the pros and cons of animal testing, stem cell ethics, global pollution and environmental issues, GM Foods and genetic engineering.
In Business studies students discuss ethics in business
Topics in assemblies such as ‘Should we negotiate with terrorists’ and ‘Is it ever ethical to use torture’ encourage students to be reflective.

Social Development

· Drama and Music students visit Berkley lodge and Melrose nursing home to perform.

· Students attend the Broadwater Armistice Day service each year.

· Peer Mediators support younger students to resolve friendship issues.

· Students support many local charities such as Macmillan with several cake sales, Chestnut Tree House with our biannual 12 mile sponsored walk, Breast Cancer Care with non-uniform days, and Kidney research.

· Students experience the British value of democracy through voting for a culture & ethos leader within each form each year, voting for teenage issues in the Make your Mark Youth Parliament vote in September 2015 and by completing a mock election for the general election in May 2015.

· The British value of respect & tolerance of different faiths is promoted through assemblies by Rev Wing, within RE where students in Year 8 and 9 study Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Islam.

· The Rule of Law is promoted in RE where Year 9 students study Crime and punishment and the need for law. Students in Key Stage 3 have a Citizenship day during the enrichment week and a visit from the local police officer in an assembly.

Individual Liberty is promoted through assemblies and outside speakers such as Shami Chakrabarti.

Spiritual Development

· In English students in Year 8 use the Diary of Anne Frank as a means to improve their own biographical writing and they explore Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night as a part of the English Literary Heritage.

· In Maths students work on tessellations such as Rangoli designs, use of religious symbols for symmetry, and Fibonacci pattern.

· Students enjoy and are fascinated by the Turin Shroud topic in Year 8 RE and the miracle stories of Jesus, the Life after Death topic in Year 9 and the Miracles and Religious Experience in Year 10.

· In Year 8 History students study the difference between Catholics and Protestants key beliefs and practices in the 1500’s in the project ‘Why Henry changed the church’. In Year 10 through investigating medicine through time students explore the religious beliefs of the Greeks and Romans.