Citizenship and Culture

SMSC & British Values

At Hartside Primary Academy, we recognise that advancing children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, as well as promoting the British Values of Individual Liberty, Respect and Tolerance, Democracy and Rule of Law is integral to their personal development. Through promoting SMSC development and British Values, we seek to develop attitudes and principles that will enable students to become responsible and caring citizens, ready for a diverse and ever-changing society.

SMSC and British Values permeate through the life and work of the school, including extra-curricular activities, playtimes, assemblies, student leadership opportunities and every subject we teach. We feel it is important that children understand the importance of SMSC development and British Values, which is why we make the links as explicit as we can.

We give students the opportunity for spiritual reflection and encourage them to explore the fundamental questions of life, including their own personal existence, journey and purpose, as well as that of others. We provide students with a curriculum that will enable them to develop a knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures, particularly those within their own society.

We seek to foster an attitude of tolerance and value towards those from a culture, background or community different from their own, in order to stamp out discrimination. They are encouraged to develop an understanding of the world, society, community and law and to accept responsibility as a citizen. They are encouraged to reflect on and discuss moral and spiritual dilemmas and to try to reach independent judgements, which reflect universal human principles. Through perception and sensitivity, tolerance and respect for others as individuals and in groups, we would also expect students to develop questioning, enquiring minds and learn how to express their ideas appropriately. We listen to student voice through weekly class meetings, as well as student leadership meetings and we encourage children to be actively engaged with decision making.

Character Education and Citizenship

At Hartside Primary Academy, ‘we want children to develop their own character, skills and knowledge and to confidently take part in a variety of situations.’ By doing this, we hope that they will mature into well-rounded citizens, prepared for the many challenges and diverse aspects of life. We feel that the best way to do this is through character education. This involves teaching and instilling in the children, positive values, attributes and behaviours, so that they can fulfil their potential and become positive members of the school, their local communities and wider world.

We deliver character education through six school character traits, chosen by the school community:

These character traits are threaded through everything we do: break times, assemblies, lessons, extra-curricular activities, as well as our behaviour policy.

The children are encouraged to recognise which activities develop certain character traits and which of the above character traits they need to work on so that they can be their best self.

Equality and Diversity

At Hartside Primary Academy, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all members of our school community, irrespective of their background or protected characteristics. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity and feel valued, so that they can participate fully in school life. By doing this, we hope to eliminate unlawful discrimination and foster good relations.

We promote equality and diversity by:

• Encouraging the children to reflect on their own lives and the lives of others during big question assemblies;
• Educating the children on discrimination and prejudice;
• Ensuring that diversity is visible in our curriculum;
• Encouraging discussions around diversity, equality and protected characteristics;
• Engaging in awareness days, to promote respect and tolerance;
• Living by our school character traits: kindness, grit, respect, integrity, empathy and self-control;
• Challenging and calling out discrimination.

This is not an exhaustive list.

For more information on equality, please refer to our policies page.

Cultural Capital

At Hartside Primary Academy, we place a strong emphasis on enhancing the cultural capital of our pupils through a variety of enriching activities and educational experiences. We ensure that every child has the opportunity to engage with cultural events and activities that broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the world.

Through our curriculum, the children experience visits to a range of places of historical, geographical and cultural significance, such as museums, art galleries and places of worship. Our curriculum is designed to incorporate diverse cultural perspectives, ensuring that students gain a well-rounded understanding of the world around them. By celebrating the achievements of students in various cultural activities, we reinforce the importance of cultural capital in their overall development and prepare them to be active, informed, and empathetic members of society.

We provide access to live musical performances each year, allowing students to experience the joy and educational value of music firsthand. These opportunities are part of our broader music development plan, which aims to foster a love for music and develop secure musicianship among pupils through regular lessons and co-curricular activities. Please see the music page for more information about our music development plan.

We also integrate cultural capital into school life by organising a range of school events and activities that celebrate diversity and promote community engagement. Events such as: Hartside’s Got Talent, Our Annual Spelling Bee, World Book Day, awareness days, charity fundraisers and seasonal fayres, which provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents and learn about different ways of life. We invite parents and carers to participate in workshops, wellbeing presentations, and Makaton training, further embedding cultural awareness and inclusivity within our community. Alongside this, the children participate in community projects and events such as: Crook Light Parade, St. Catherine’s carol service and the Armistice day service.

Through these efforts, we not only enhance the cultural capital of our pupils but also foster a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

Please see our newsletters for further insight.