Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

SMSC

We are ambitious for children not only to be prepared for life in modern Britain, but that they develop knowledge, skills and beliefs to increase their opportunities to thrive in it and become agents of change. Furthermore, that they understand that, alongside rights, including the United Nations Rights of the Child, they have responsibilities: a right to an education and a responsibility to participate in it to the best of their ability and with ambition. Through School Council, Class Council, Circle time and PSHE, they learn that they have a right to have a voice and a responsibility to use it, kindly and with positive intent, to help themselves and others and effect change, be that during lessons, break times, before and after school clubs and outside of the school community.

They learn to recognise healthy and balanced relationships and where to seek help when they feel there is or there may be an imbalance in a relationship. They are supported to restore relationships between peers. Throughout their journey here, they learn to understand that conflict is an inevitable part of life and how to engage with it, how to solve it peacefully, including through democratic processes, to effect the best outcomes for the majority. Examples of our provision include: PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers), Peer Listeners, School Councillors and Action Groups, where they have opportunities to develop leadership skills, empathy and to respect difference of opinion as well as the law and the difference between right and wrong. Through PSHE, Circle Time, Parliament Week and Anti-Bullying Week, they have opportunities to develop debating skills and consider moral dilemmas.

Through our curriculum, children learn the importance of and how to respect themselves, others and our differences. When we respect difference, be that of, for example, opinion, perspective, culture, race, gender, special need, disability, we understand one another better, build better relationships and reduce incidents of conflict, as well as unacceptable behaviours, including homophobia, racism and bullying and, we grow ourselves.

To develop character, resilience and a sense of ownership, as well as respecting our environment, we have agreed to a three-year commitment to help repair the planet, increasingly handing over the leadership of it from adults to children, so that they become the drivers of change. The children learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and how what they do now can help the future for all through engaging in sustainable action.

We always involve the children in our charity work because we know that engaging children, from the earliest stages possible, in meaningful charity helps them in so many ways and develops a longer term ‘habit’ of social action and participation. Furthermore, it promotes children’s rights, as they have an inherent right and important part to play in society, develops personal ownership and develops character and empathy. This is an integral part of our SMSC, personal development and British Values provision and is underpinned by our school vision and values.