Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development
Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development and Developing British Values
Social, moral, spiritual and cultural development (SMSC) SMSC stands for Social, moral, spiritual and cultural development. At Firle CEP School we understand that this aspect of personal development plays a necessary part in pupils’ ability to learn and achieve both in the primary phase of education and later as pupils become responsible citizens of the world. It is important to us that all members of our school community help us to provide an education that encourages opportunities for children to explore and develop and understand their own and others’ values and beliefs.
To enable this we must ensure our children develop high standards of behaviour, a caring attitude, an understanding of social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity of other cultures as well as providing opportunities to develop spiritual awareness.
SMSC is embedded within school life here at Firle, through, for example, Religious Education, PSHE(personal, social and health education), assemblies, school council work, eco school work, charity work and time spent at Forest school. This is to name but a few of the opportunities.
Our school vision, mission and motto “Achieve, Believe, Celebrate” all contribute to the school ethos which fully embraces SMSC opportunities.
Social development
As a school we aim to provide opportunities that will:
- Give pupils the chance to experience a sense of belonging
- Develop an understanding of democracy Develop an understanding of individual and group identity
- Encourage understanding about service in the school and the wider community
- Develop compassion for others in society and an understanding about the changing nature of society
- Begin an understanding of wider social issues locally, nationally and globally
Moral development
As a school we aim to provide opportunities that will
- Develop an understanding of right and wrong
- Understand that with rights come responsibilities
- Recognise the unique worth of every individual
- Give opportunities to listen and respond to the views of others
- Show pupils how to learn from mistakes
- Develop a respect for the world around us
- Develop initiative and responsibility
Spiritual development
As a school we aim to provide opportunities that will:
- Foster children’s inner lives
- Develop self esteem
- Develop capacity for independence
- Foster pupils’ emotional life
- Give time for stillness and reflection
- Allow for opportunities to discuss beliefs, values and responses to personal experiences
- Develop feelings of awe and wonder
Cultural development
As a school we aim to provide opportunities that will:
- Recognise the values and richness of cultural diversity in Britain
- Recognise and respect world faiths and beliefs and develop an understanding
- Help children understand about the country in which they live, how democracy works in Britain and how Britain’s history has shaped the world we live in today.
- Allow for opportunities to discuss beliefs, values and responses to personal experiences
British Values
In line with DFE guidance Firle CEP School promotes the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Work to support this is part of the ethos of the school but can be seen through examples such as voting in school council elections to show children democracy in action, emphasising the Golden rules in the school which give the pupils both rights and responsibilities, allowing children to make informed choices about their work and some aspects of school life, showing respect within the school community for everyone, finding out about different cultures and religious traditions in RE, assembly or topic work. We also spend time with the children finding out about events that are important in Britain. Some of these are annual events such as Remembrance Day; for this we always hold a special service in the village with contributions from the children. Other events are topical for instance – the Election, the London Olympics, The Golden Jubilee, the birth of Prince George and the Scottish elections over independence. All of this helps children to understand more about the country in which they live and events of National importance.