Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
The Academy aims to nurture the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of its students through the curriculum offered and the wealth of opportunities beyond the curriculum provided during their time here.
At the core of this experience is the coaching and assembly programme which is a curriculum based on Citizenship, PSHE and RSE, where British values and the Prevent Duty are interleaved into the provision offered at Key Stages 3 and 4.
Principles such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect are discussed, explored and applied to the topics studied within their PSHE provision in coaching time as well as academic subjects. For further details of this please see the SMSC statements in individual subject areas.
British Values
HGAED is fully committed to promoting the fundamental British values of:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty and mutual respect
- tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Through our coaching programme and wider curriculum, we:
- encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the Academy and to society more widely
- enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England
- further tolerance and harmony between diverse cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures.
- encourage respect for other people
- encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England
The examples that follow show some of the many ways HGAED seeks to embed fundamental British Values into academy life.
Democracy
All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of democracy through:
- an active approach to student voice that adheres to democratic principles where feedback is discussed by senior leaders and acted on where appropriate
- numerous opportunities to participate in roles of responsibility within the school such as the selection of a Debate Mate Team, Youth Parliament representatives, Student Voice representatives, Prefects, Peer Mentors at Post 16, the Post 16 Leadership Group, Sports Leaders and Head Girl positions
- a curriculum that develops pupil understanding of British Life and preparation for modern British Life
- extra-curricular activities that promote democratic processes
The Rule of Law
All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the rule of law through:
- the school’s Behaviour for Learning policy, including a clear code of conduct and expectations for all pupils
- a robust anti-bullying culture
- a comprehensive system of rewards, recognition, and sanctions
- a PSHE curriculum which focuses on the rule of Law and respect for all
- values-based school assemblies
- restorative approaches to conflict
- effective links with Southwark Police and other authorities
Individual liberty
All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of individual liberty through:
- the school’s Behaviour for Learning policy, including a clear code of conduct and expectations for all pupils
- an outstanding system of pastoral care, guidance, and support
- a robust anti-bullying culture
- participation in a wide variety of Academy and local community charitable events such as wearing red for Sickle Cell Anaemia and opportunities for volunteering such as the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Students have key roles and responsibilities in school, such as Eco-leaders, Prefects, Peer Mentors at P16, Head Girl and Sports Leaders.
All students are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in safe and supportive environment.
Our PSHE and Essential Life Skills curriculum embedded into the coaching programme educates and provide boundaries for students to make choices safely, including those relating to e-safety and extremism.
Through our subject curricula, coaching programme and extra-curricular clubs, students are given the freedom to make informed choices and develop opinions about local and global topical events and issues.
Mutual respect
All students have opportunities to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of mutual respect through:
- the school’s Behaviour for Learning policy, including a clear code of conduct and expectations for all students
- an outstanding system of pastoral care, guidance, and support
- a teaching and learning environment based on mutual respect
- a robust anti-bullying culture and a comprehensive Behaviour for Learning Policy
- a comprehensive system of rewards, recognition, and sanctions
- a curriculum where all pupils have an opportunity to express their views in a safe environment where the thoughts and answers of all are respected
- our coaching programme that covers PSHE, Essential Life Skills, active Citizenship (in-line with the National Curriculum) and Sex and Relationship Education (RSE)
- values-based school assemblies and a focus on developing the character, courage and conscience among the students here
- our Prefects, Head Girl, P16 Mentors, the Post 16 Leadership Group and Sports Leaders, who promote mutual respect between students throughout the Academy community
Tolerance of different beliefs, cultures, and faiths
All students have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the tolerance of different beliefs, cultures, and faiths through:
- spiritual development through a comprehensive coaching programme built on a PSHE and Citizenship curriculum, value-based assemblies, and RSE
- being actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the Academy and celebrate festivities throughout the year such as Eid and Christmas.
- a Religious Education curriculum which provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions, and cultures
- an experience of a wide variety of cultures through assemblies
- sporting and House competitions that helps to instil ‘fair play’ and engender a ‘team spirit’
- links with other local and national bodies, including other Academies and community partners
Prevent duty
Since 1 July 2015, schools in England now have a legal duty to prevent pupils from becoming radicalised.
We embed the Prevent Duty guidance for schools through our coaching programme here at the Academy. Its key aims are below.
- The coaching programme helps to provide pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them to play a full and active part in society.
- It should equip pupils to explore political and social issues critically, to weigh evidence, to debate, and to make reasoned arguments.
- It provides the opportunity for pupils to learn about democracy, government and how laws are made and upheld.
- It provides the opportunity for pupils to be taught about the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding.
Educating against hate
At Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich we are committed to protecting and educating our students from radicalisation and extremism. For example, we hold assemblies with our students talking to them about ‘real world’ events, explaining extremism and helping them understand the signs of extremism, how this grows and the means by which they can safeguard themselves against it.
The government has recently created an Educate Against Hate website that offers advice to parents on protecting their children from radicalisation and extremism.
Our spiritual, moral, social and cultural development policy can found in the Key Information: Teaching and Learning page of our website.
