SMSC

Vision

SMSC makes a unique and substantial contribution towards the School’s aims in its core belief that student’s deserve outstanding learning, support, and experiences. We incorporate the four core themes; Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural by focussing on the key areas of our Life curriculum which are:

  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Relationships
  • Living in the Wider World
  • Citizenship
  • Religious Studies
  • Careers

Intent

  • To form and manage supportive and stable relationships
  • To develop awareness of their own strengths and understand how to deal with setbacks
  • To understand and be prepared for the challenges of adult life such as the world of work  
  • To understand the importance of their economic wellbeing
  • To make informed choices on their lifestyle and be aware of possible dangers they might face
  • To be aware of the need for good health and physical wellbeing
  • To value themselves as an individual and promote their self-esteem
  • To promote a spirit of inquiry
  • To understand different cultures and religions, and showing an appreciation for each other’s differences
  • To have the confidence and skills to make learning a lifelong process
  • To communicate appropriately, effectively and safely using all forms of communication and social media
  • To develop healthy coping strategies to deal with demands and challenges

Definitions and Implementation

  A. SPIRITUALITY 

  • An ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
  • Knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values
  • A sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
  • Use of imagination and creativity in their learning
  • Willingness to reflect on their experiences

We therefore aim to promote spirituality through:

  • Teaching of different religious beliefs
  • Emphasis on our schools’ values of resilience, respect, reflection, leadership, motivation and self-confidence
  • Areas of the curriculum such as history and geography focusing on other cultures
  • Students offering their opinions in lessons via debates and class discussion
  • Earn your stripes

B. MORAL DEVELOPMENT

  • An ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, and to recognise legal boundaries and, in doing so, respect the civil and criminal law of England
  • An understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
  • An interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and an ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues

We therefore aim to promote moral development through:

  • Standards of behaviour
  • Life curriculum which emphasises living in the wider world; including knowing right from wrong, appreciating the British values, and understanding how the law works in Britain
  • Debates within lesson
  • Interactions with students
  • Earn your stripes

C. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

  • A use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
  • A willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
  • An acceptance of and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

We therefore aim to promote social development through:

  • Enrichment activities during and after the school day such as clubs and trips
  • Duke of Edinburgh award
  • Working with different students each lesson as every subject has a different seating plan
  • Pupil Leadership Team
  • Earn your stripes

D. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

  • An understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
  • An understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
  • An ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
  • A knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
  • A willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
  • An interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity
  • An ability to understand, accept and respect diversity (as shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities)

We therefore aim to promote cultural development through:

  • Life curriculum
  • School values
  • Earn your stripes
  • Pupil leadership team
  • Wider curriculum such as History, English and MFL

Wider areas that contribute:

Above all, the ethos and climate at the academy has a massive contribution to students’ SMSC development. The areas below play a vital role:

  • Pastoral system and dedicate learning managers for each year group
  • Well planned Life curriculum
  • Praise and rewards
  • School values
  • Well thought out curriculum which explicitly references SMSC
  • Pupil leadership opportunities
  • Enrichment and school trips
  • Anti-bullying policy
  • Assemblies
  • Lessons which challenge students that encourage debate and discussion