SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual, Cultural)
At Acre View Primary School Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural (SMSC) development underpins all aspects of our broad and balanced curriculum, therefore, enabling children to develop the skills and attitudes encapsulated in our values.
Our vision for SMSC is to raise the aspirations of our students by nurturing a passion for learning, enriching their learning experiences, providing the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in adult life, and enabling them to secure outcomes which exceed their expectations.
We want to create confident, resilient, and well-rounded adults who have an aspiration for self-improvement and are able to compete equally with their peers in a world beyond school life. We recognise that all students need to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. This development allows them to make sense of their world. Our highly engaging 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.
Our values are:
- Be Kind
- Be Brave
- Be Curious
These enables our children to develop into positive members of society who will be able to make significant contributions in making our world (both near and far) a kinder place. SMSC coverage is monitored through the SMSC Gridmaker.
Spiritual Development
As a school we aim to provide learning opportunities that enable pupils to –
- Build resilience, confidence and self-esteem in their learning experience
- Develop their capacity for critical and independent thought
- Be compassionate towards other people, our world and themselves
- Express their thoughts and feelings whilst being aware of the thoughts and feelings of others
- Experience moments of stillness and reflection
- Discuss their beliefs, feelings, values and responses to personal experiences
- Make and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships
- Reflect on, consider and celebrate the wonders and mysteries of life
- Recognise and reflect on major religions
Moral Development
As a school we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable pupils to –
- Recognise the value and contribution of each individual
- Recognise that religious teaching has a place in the lives of people around them
- Listen and respond appropriately to the views of others
- Act responsibly with consideration for others
- Distinguish between right and wrong
- Show respect for the environment
- Make informed and independent judgements
- Talk about their standpoint, ideals and beliefs
Social Development
As a school we aim to promote opportunities that will enable pupils to –
- Develop an understanding of their individual identity
- Begin to understand their place within different groups in society
- Learn about service in our school and the wider community
- Begin to understand the need for social justice
- Develop compassion for others, especially those who are disadvantaged
The key vocabulary built through our curriculum helps our children make connections between the past, present and future and the impact values, beliefs and ideals have on society. The key vocabulary is: Democracy, Exploration, Belief, Justice, Innovation, Civilisation, Freedom, Sustainability, Community, Diversity, Adaptation, Family, Rule of Law, Tolerance, Individual Liberty
Cultural Development
As a school, we aim to promote opportunities that will enable pupils to –
- Develop an understanding of the social and cultural environment we are part of today
- Recognise the value and richness of cultural diversity in Britain and how this influences individuals and society
- Recognise we can learn from the past to make positive changes for today and the future.
Some examples of the practical activities used to develop SMSC at Acre View Primary School
- A reward system based around our core values
- A commitment to Growth Mindset philosophy including specific lessons taught within each year group
- A dedicated weekly session of Well-being
- The promotion of well-being and positive mental health through mindfulness and reflection as well as enhancement days and weeks
- The use of Big Questions every term which demand deep thinking around philosophical ideas.
- The development of strong home-school partnerships e.g., through celebration assemblies, curriculum workshops, home-learning and homework.
- Appreciation of the local environment and developing a sense of responsibility for it e.g. through growing our own vegetables.
- Supporting Local, National and International charities e.g., Children in Need and Save the Children
- Weekly Collective worship
- A well-planned and effective PSHE curriculum
- Lunchtime organisation e.g. social eating and play leaders
- Opportunities to take responsibility e.g. Pupil Voice
- Participation in school visits
- Modern Foreign Language lessons