Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education. It is not taught as a lesson, rather it may be part of Religious Education, Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education AND part of the ethos of the school which children experience on a daily basis. SMSC is now highlighted by Government as a key means of promoting basic British Values and counteracting the development of religious extremism in some school settings.
Spiritual
Pupils’ spiritual development is shown by their:
- beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s feelings and values.
- sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them, including the intangible
use of imagination and creativity in their learning. - willingness to reflect on their experiences.
Children may learn that people of all faiths and people of no faith can still be spiritual beings.
Moral
Pupils’ moral development is shown by their:
- ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and their readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives.
- understanding of the consequences of their actions.
- interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues.
Social
Pupils’ social development is shown by their:
- use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethical and socio-economic backgrounds.
- willingness to participate in a variety of social settings, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
interest in, and understanding of, the wat communities and societies function at a variety of levels.
Children mix with children from other schools and settings through visits and sporting and musical events.
Cultural
Pupils’ cultural development is shown by their:
- understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage.
- willingness to participate in, and respond to, for example, artistic, musical, sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities.
- interest in exploring, understanding of, and respect for cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their attitudes towards different religious, ethical and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.
The wide range of assemblies, music, sporting and literature the children experience enhances their cultural development.
All year groups
Overview of SMSC at Oakfield
Spiritual
Our school ethos- Inspire, challenge, achieve together.
New curriculum is planned to offer exciting experiences that use imagination and creativity to inspire and fascinate learners.
RE teaching- cycle of enquiry. Children can ask questions about life and beliefs.
Picture News / JIGSAW assemblies.
PSHCE/JIGSAW lessons.
Special assemblies such as Remembrance day, Harvest festival, Advent, New Year, Bonfire Night.
Star of the week/celebration assembly.
Christmas concerts.
School trips and visitors which inspire awe and wonder.
Music events.
Art appreciation days with parents.
Displays.
Focus curriculum weeks.
Topics allow the children to learn about the world around them.
Reflective questions/Kagan working.
Celebrations of different faiths and cultures.
Promotion of and respect of own cultures and beliefs or non-beliefs.
Areas to promote talking and thinking- friendship bench.
Social
Playtimes/ lunchtimes.
Buddies support in the playgrounds.
Parent helpers- interaction with children including hearing readers in school.
Circle time/PSHCE/JIGSAW curriculum.
Problem solving activities and team work in all areas of the curriculum.
School trips and visitors.
Role play/ drama activities.
After school clubs.
Breakfast club.
School Council.
Head boy and girl and Deputy head boy and girl.
Charity fundraising days.
Assemblies.
PSHCE/JIGSAW curriculum.
Kagan working with partners and within groups.
Relationships with each other and all stakeholders.
Pastoral support for all children as and when needed.
Involvement in classroom routines.
Transitions- time with new teacher to promote positive attachment and build new relationships.
Talk buddies.
Parents’ evenings.
Moral
School policies (equal opportunities, SEND, etc).
School rules- Ready, Respectful, Safe. All staff members and children use consistent adherence to the behaviour policy including Good to be Green rewards and sanctions throughout school.
Class and dinnertime charter.
Assemblies including Remembrance day.
RE planning.
Learning about other cultures and countries- respecting others values and ways of life.
School council, Head boy and girl, Deputy head boy and girl, Staying Safe group, Buddies.
Charity fundraising events.
Harvest festival and donations to the Food bank.
Discussing right and wrong.
Promoting making the right choices.
Manners.
Circle time/ PSHCE/ JIGSAW curriculum.
Supporting charities.
Visits and visitors including the police, fire brigade.
Discussions and debates around matters in the world- Picture news assemblies.
Practitioners leading by example.
Acceptance and celebration of similarities and differences with an inclusive ethos displayed within school.
Tolerance and acceptance of others’ views.
Cultural
RE planning.
Assemblies.
Exploring different religious festivals throughout school eg, Diwali, Christmas, Easter.
School trips and visitors.
After school clubs.
Breakfast club.
Exploring music and art from around the world.
Exploring artifacts from the past.
Activities to commemorate special events eg, Royal wedding, Olympics, Paralympics.
Homework.
Promoting acceptance and sensitivity to other cultures and beliefs in celebration assemblies and RE topics.
Awareness of global issues that impact on children’s lives- Picture news assemblies.
Charity events in school- Children in Need/ Macmillan.
Curriculum offers to enrich children’s cultural experiences.