SMSC and British Values
What is SMSC?
It is the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of the children in our school. This is an aspect of learning that is evident in both lessons and behaviours in school, rather than a specifically taught subject. Some subjects do enable more direct SMSC development though, such as PSHE and RE. We also aim to develop SMSC through worship, behaviour expectations and our school values and motto. (Ofsted have provided specific SMSC definitions which are below).
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.
British Values
The Government’s ‘Prevent’ strategy (2011) specifies that schools need to have a focus on the core British values which are: Democracy, The Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of different faiths and belief.
British Values Poster Competition
Click here to read more about the British Values Poster Design Competition.
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King's Coronation Celebrations
Click here to read more about the King's Coronation Celebration.
SMSC and British Values at the Primary site
Through our SMSC provision we:
Teach pupils about tolerance and respect for different cultures and beliefs by educating them on both differences and similarities
Equip pupils with the skills to develop their self-awareness and confidence.
Support pupils in accepting and acknowledging responsibility for their behaviours and show respect for others
Encourage pupils to contribute positively to the lives of others in our school community and beyond
Enable pupils to distinguish and articulate right from wrong, and to respect the civil and criminal law of England.
Support them in acquiring an understanding of democratic processes, including a respect for laws and rules
This underpins our ethos to developing SMSC in school. We ensure opportunities for developing the British Values through our SMSC.
How do we ensure there are opportunities for SMSC development?
At The Bay, we recognise the importance of the personal development of our pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. We support pupils in developing their capacity to explore and understand social and moral issues and develop a sense of responsibility. We therefore aim to provide a curriculum experience that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop:
Strong personal values and beliefs
Kind, caring and tolerant attitudes towards others
Collaboration skills
Opportunities to celebrate the success of both themselves and others
Personal spiritual awareness
High expectations of personal behaviour
Access to a range of extra-curricular opportunities and educational visits
An understanding of their social and cultural traditions
An understanding of democratic processes and the law in England
An appreciation and acceptance of the diversity and richness of different cultures
Their opportunities to experience other cultures
Links with the Wider Community
Visitors are welcomed into our school and have included Guide dogs for the blind, the police force, local historians and members of the clergy
Links with the local churches are a vital part of our provision and include attending services, educational visits and members of the clergy leading weekly school worships
Visits to places of worship of other faiths/ workshops from visiting speakers will be arranged to support the understanding of different cultures
The school supports the work of a variety of charities. These have included Sandown Zoo, Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Sport relief, Comic relief and Children in Need
The development of a strong home-school agreement is regarded as very important, enabling parents and teachers to work in an effective partnership to support the children.
Children will be taught to appreciate and take responsibility for their local environment as part of PSHE and Longitudinal Studies in Science
Activities taught in collaboration with our secondary site, as well as transition liaison with other local secondary schools and pre-schools, support the primary curriculum and effective transition
Community Kids club to promote and engage in support for the local community
The Bay CE Primary Opportunities
SMSC development opportunities for our pupils:
Below are some examples of how we ensure children have this opportunity in school but it is very much part of the ethos and vision of the school.
Spiritual
We encourage spiritual development during RE lessons, worship and by welcoming and accepting the spiritual beliefs of others within our school community. We create opportunities for the children to experience stillness as well as reflecting on, considering and celebrating the wonders and mysteries of life by considering window, door and mirror moments as part of our weekly big question.
Moral
We develop moral understanding and problem solving through our behaviour expectations and school values: Love, Courage, Truth, Respect and Friendship. We also look at topical world issues and moral dilemmas through our weekly PSHE and Picture News assemblies. We feel it is important that children take initiative and act responsibly with consideration for others.
Social
We have a wide variety of opportunities for social development in school including: PSHE lessons, transition event tour guides, Social group role models and House Captains. We are also proud of our behaviour policy with clear consequences and rewards (see behaviour policy) and a restorative approach to supporting children to make good decisions. We ensure all pupils have a voice through our CAOW reflections and the promotion of British Values. We develop an understanding of their individual and group identity, learning about service in the school and wider community, through our links with local charities, care homes and places of worship, and beginning to understand the need for social justice and a concern for the disadvantaged, through involvement in initiatives like our in school foodbank.
Cultural
The cultural development of our children is encouraged and supported through worships; RE lessons; understanding different cultures; themed weeks (for example black history) and in welcoming and accepting the cultural beliefs of everyone in our school community. We recognise, respect and celebrate the value and richness of cultural diversity in Britain, and how these influence individuals and society, as well as recognising Christianity as a worldwide faith.
Click here to read about what Year 6 children did on the recent British Values Day.
Click here to read The Bay CE School (Primary) RE Curriculum including British Values.
SMSC and British Values at the Secondary site
British Values
Democracy of students is shown by:
Student voice in regards to the life of the school.
Students are self elected to represent their peers on the school council. Several of these students are also House or Form representatives. Year 11 student leaders also attend.
The Student Leadership Team are a group of students consisting of Year 11 students appointed by the Year Manager and Senior Leadership Team. They act as ambassadors and represent the school during events. They meet with the Senior Leadership Team regularly.
Each House has a House Council made up of representatives from each tutor group. They meet with their House Leader fortnightly to plan charity days and inter house events.
Students’ questionnaires taken as part of lesson feedback during normal lessons or as part of an interview process.
Taking part in mock elections
The Rule of Law of students is shown by their:
understanding and appreciation of the rules of the class, school, the neighbourhood or the country and of why these are in places and the reasoning of why they must be adhered to.
understanding the importance of rules that will be consistently reinforced through assemblies and the curriculum.
understanding the part they play in the creation of some school rules as part of the school council.
interest of philosophical enquiry in lessons and the opportunities to debate and discuss the reasons for laws so that they can recognise the importance of these for their own protection.
The Individual Liberty of students is shown by:
the positive ethos around the school, with students in a safe environment.
the students taking opportunities that are given to them that allow their abilities and talents to flourish.
the extra-curricular activities and trips and visits which are available to students throughout the school year.
The Mutual Respect of students is shown by their:
treatment of each other and staff, showing great respect.
willingness to listen to other students’ interests or point of views and treat what they believe with respect.
The Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs of students is shown by their:
understanding of different faiths and beliefs from lessons as well as assemblies.
mutual respect of every student or member of staff at the school no matter their faith or belief.
Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development (SMSC)
At The Bay CE School, SMSC – spiritual, moral, social and cultural development – is an integrated part of the curriculum. It is part of all aspects of the school and has an important role to play in helping our students grow into the best citizens they can be.
Defining spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
The spiritual development of students is shown by their:
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.
The moral development of students is shown by their:
ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives 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 being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.
The social development of students is shown by their:
use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with students 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; the students develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
The cultural development of students is shown by their:
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, 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.
