SMSC – Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education

Our vision is to provide a personalised education in a safe environment promoting self-discipline, motivation and excellence in learning, through which we will develop together as life-long learners and socially responsible citizens and to ‘promote fundamental British values.’ We recognise that the spiritual, moral, social and cultural, (‘SMSC’) element of students’ education is crucial to their development as individuals, allowing them to take their rightful place in their community as local, national and global citizens. ‘SMSC’ is about the values students are encouraged to hold and their attitude towards learning, knowledge and society. Through ‘SMSC’ we seek to develop attitudes and values that will enable students to become responsible and active members of society.

What are the strands of SMSC and what do they mean?

Spiritual

• 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

• Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries 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 ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

Social

• Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, co-operating 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; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Cultural

• 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, musical, 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.