SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development)

SMSC is promoted across the entire school curriculum and all aspects of school life. Our SMSC policy sets out our vision and practice in ensuring that all students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of right and wrong; an appreciation of the Arts in all their forms and to practise the skills and attitudes required for them to participate fully in a democratic society.

Spiritual development encompasses students’

• Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values
• 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.

Moral development encompasses students’

• Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect  the civil and criminal law of England
• Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
• Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

Social development encompasses students’

• Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with students from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
• Acceptance 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; the pupils develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Cultural development encompasses students’

• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
• Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
• Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities
• Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity, and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities
• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others

SMSC development is promoted through our daily tutor time, Citizenship and PSHE courses, Student Support Days, Themes of the Week and the Worship Programme. SMSC is a feature across the entire breadth of the curriculum and embedded within the general Christian ethos of our school community.