SMSC

SMSC is the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of the children in our school. The SMSC curriculum can be described as the “hidden curriculum”. It is all the things that we do at Greenfield Primary School to build up children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding, thoughts and experiences.  It is not taught as a discrete lesson, rather it may be part of RE, PE, PSHE/RSE and part of the ethos of the school which children experience daily. It is woven into our behaviour expectations and our attitudes in school.

We want to create confident, responsible, and well-rounded adults who have an aspiration for self-improvement and can compete equally with their peers in a world beyond school life. We recognise that all pupils need to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. This development allows them to make sense of their world.

Our highly engaging and ambitious curriculum helps students develop an informed and balanced view on world events, beliefs and values of others. We endeavour to prepare our students for their future when becoming respectful individuals, life-long learners and active citizens in a modern British society.

SMSC is now highlighted by the government as a key means of promoting basic British Values and creating well rounded individuals who can contribute towards a modern Britain.

Ofsted Definitions of SMSC

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

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 development is shown by their:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic 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 way communities and societies function at a variety of levels.

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, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

At Greenfield Primary School we recognise that the personal development of children, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We want to give each child the opportunity to explore social and moral issues; develop a sense of social and moral responsibility and promote the British Values. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop.

Below is an overview of how we develop SMSC at Greenfield Primary School:

Spiritual Development

This element focuses on the children developing a set of values, principles, and beliefs which they use to inform their perspectives on life and their behaviour. It involves children exploring the beliefs of others and encouraging the children to respect the faiths, feelings, and values of others.  Underpinning this, is the knowledge and understanding of the British Values mutual respect and tolerance.

• We encourage spiritual development during RE lessons and by welcoming and accepting all different spiritual beliefs within our school community.
• A rigorous Religious Education scheme from Foundation Stage to Year 6
• Weekly Religious Education lessons across school
• Whole school assemblies, including special assemblies covering topics such as Remembrance and religious festivals
• Teaching and learning about festivals and celebrations
• Christmas Nativities for Foundation Stage and Key Stage One
• Celebrating diversity, different faiths, and cultures across school
• Topics/ projects to allow children to learn about the world around them
• School trips to churches, mosques, templates and other religious buildings
• Visits from local religious leaders
• Faith stories with key messages and concepts

Moral development

Moral development focuses on children’s knowledge, understanding, intentions, attitudes and behaviour in relation to right and wrong within the accepted behaviours of society. It relies on their knowledge and awareness of values and attitudes of individuals and society. Underpinning this, are the values and understanding of democracy, law, liberty, respect, and tolerance. The quality of relationships that students experience, the standards of behaviour in the school as well as the values promoted by the school will form the basis of any judgment on moral development.

• We develop moral understanding and problem solving through our behaviour expectations
• Through PSHE/RSE and RE lessons we look specifically at actions with a moral dilemma and discuss them to develop the children’s understanding
• Developing positive sporting behaviours
• Developing empathy towards others and showing concern for other people’s feelings and emotions
• Fundraising days
• Discussions of right and wrong- reflective practice
• Promoting making right choices and modelling of positive behaviours in school
• School’s behaviour policy
• Use of a positive reward system (badges)
• Consistent adherence to the behaviour policy and rewards and sanctions consistent throughout school
• Additional school policies and documentation (SEND/ Inclusion /Equal Opportunities policy, equalities objectives)
• Assemblies based around moral issues
• Learning about other cultures and countries – respecting the values and ways of life of others
• School Council
• Links and visits from local police, fire service and community PCSO
• Discussions and debates around matters in the world
• Moral stories- recognition of wrong and right
• Acceptance and celebration of similarities and differences- e.g. SEND, cultures, faiths, personalities
• Tolerance and acceptance of others’ views- School Council acting on behalf of the pupil voice
• Rejecting all forms of bullying, cruelty, dishonestly, violence and discrimination

Social Development

Developing an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of living in a community and being a “responsible citizen” in modern Britain. It also includes the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

• We ensure all pupils have a voice through an elected school council
• Supporting the local community with food in relation to harvest and food banks
• Prefect system
• Whole school rules and class charters
• Eco council, Litter picking in the community,
• School trips, visits and residential visits
• Road safety training
• Bike ability training
• Positive and well-developed relationships with each other, parents and teachers
• The PSHE curriculum- SCARF
• Weekly PHSE lessons across school from EYFS-Year 6
• The use of the outdoor environment when delivering high quality learning opportunities
• Physical Education curriculum
• Unstructured times of day- e.g. playtimes/lunchtimes
• After school clubs
• Opportunities for pupil voice – e.g. school council meetings, eco council, assemblies
• Year 6 end of year production
• Charity fundraising days – e.g. Children in Need, Red Nose Day etc
• Assemblies
• Targeted support to promote confidence and social skills, delivered by the nurture team and Play Therapy
• Transition days- dedicated time with new teachers to promote positive attachments
• Secondary enhanced transition
• Promoting good manners throughout school
• Inter-schools sporting competitions

Cultural development

Cultural development is defined as the knowledge and understanding of others’ cultural traditions. It is about feeling comfortable with a variety of cultures and experiencing a range of cultural activities (for example art, theatre, travel, concerts). Within cultural development at Greenfield Primary School, children develop the fundamental British Value of mutual respect and tolerance. They do this through valuing and celebrating any cultural diversity in our school, our society, and the world.

• The cultural development of our children is encouraged and supported through worships and RE lessons
• Visits to museums, historical buildings and theatres
• Exploring the work of artists and musicians from other cultures
• Reading stories and information books about other cultures
• Brass lessons
• Tasting and making food from other cultures
• Dance workshops – e.g. street dance
• Weekly music lessons
• MFL teaching
• Sports Day
• Promoting acceptance and sensitivity to other cultures and beliefs- celebration assemblies and celebrations in RE topics.
• Awareness of leadership- in home, at school and the wider context – e.g.  UK parliamentary system
• Awareness of the global issues that impact on children’s lives- e.g. cost of living, flooding/homelessness/ Coronavirus
• Celebrating different festivals – Chinese New Year, Diwali, Ramadan etc.