SPIRITUAL, MORAL, SOCIAL & CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AT ST MARY’S

Why do we develop these areas? (Our intent)

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum and all schools must show how well their pupils develop in these areas. We believe that we achieve thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through our approaches and teaching and deliver of a broad range of learning opportunities for SMSC, in partnership with parents and families.

How do we ensure this? (Our implementation)

In our:

• spiritual development we explore beliefs and experiences; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about ourselves, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and offer reflection in for example our collective worship, RE and PHSEC and other curriculum opportunities and instil a sense of care for our local and global environment;
• moral development we learn to recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues without conflict, prejudice or bias; offer reasoned views through engaging with our Christian Values, the 5 core and all 22 in our cycle, our ethos, rights-respecting work (see ‘Rights Respecting Schools’ information) and charters, and our behaviour policy;
• social development we use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; and begin to have an appreciation of ‘British values’ of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance (see ‘British Values’ information) through, e.g. our charity support, strong pupil voice representations (see all separate ‘pupil voice’ information) and work in the community;
• cultural development we recognise all the rich diversity in our school and locality, appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system; participate in many cultural opportunities (see ‘The Arts’ information) and understand, accept, respect and celebrate difference.

SMSC is essential to the academic progress of pupils. It doesn’t happen in isolation – it permeates the school and is linked to everything we do and is supported and articulated by school leaders and governors and should be visible in all day-to-day decisions and relationships.

What is the difference that this makes? (Our impact)

Well promoted SMSC can contribute to raising academic standards and improving children’s life chances and we recognise celebrate much achievement by our pupils present and past when we see this.

Our children leave KS2 able to look back on an interesting and happy primary education, proud of their successes and self-disciplined. We want them to be confident that they have worked hard and made friends, are able to encourage others – maybe lead, and for the foundation to have been laid for them to be a responsible member of society, interested in the world around them and keen to make a positive contribution to society. We hope that they will be willing to share and reflect upon their own and others’ faiths, be able to work with others, regardless of gender, race or sexuality, understand changes and be eager for challenge!