SMSC Curriculum at Jesse Gray

What is SMSC?

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must show how well their pupils develop in SMSC.

Spiritual: An exploration of beliefs and experience; respecting values; discovering oneself and the surrounding world; using imagination and creativity.

Moral: Recognising right and wrong; respecting the law; understanding consequences; investigating moral and ethical issues; offering reasoned views and having an appreciation of British Values.

Social: Investigating moral issues; appreciating diverse viewpoints; participating, volunteering and cooperating; resolving conflict; engaging with the fundamental values of British democracy.

Cultural: Appreciating cultural influences; appreciating the role of Britain's parliamentary system; participating in culture opportunities; understanding, accepting, respecting and celebrating diversity.

What are our aims for our children?

At Jesse Gray Primary School, our children and their learning are at the very heart of every decision made. The aims of our SMSC education are to ensure that pupils’ education is holistic. We aim to provide our children with a rounded education, including learning how to work and play together, understanding and respecting others’ points of view, respecting and applying rules and understanding why these exist. We encourage our children to develop an inner discipline, not to ‘follow the crowd’ and to make up their own minds and be ready to accept responsibility for what they do. We aim to help our children grow through making choices and holding to the choices that they have made; being honest with themselves and with others. We teach our children to be aware of their own actions, take responsibility for their own bodies and encourage independence. We help our children to identify their feelings and think these through so that they are expressed in behaviour that is socially acceptable.

We aim to make our children aware of the diversity of other cultures both within modern Britain and throughout the world. Through our SMSC provision, we develop an ethos with a set of Jesse Gray’s core values, within which all pupils can grow and flourish, respect others and be respected; accommodating difference and respecting the integrity of individuals. We enable children to participate actively and positively in the life of the school, their local community and wider society and in this way we are preparing them to contribute to society and culture (Modern Britain) throughout their lives.

We recognise and celebrate individuality, and as such encourage every child to value themselves and their unique contributions to their own and others’ lives, and in turn to value and celebrate others and their qualities and abilities.

How do we do this?

We believe Spiritual Development involves our children having the opportunity to:

explore their thoughts and feelings about faith through deep thinking
consider what they believe in and what matters to them
reflect on and ask ‘big questions’ about life
develop an awareness of their own and other faiths
gain a sense of the world and where they belong in it
development of a sense of belonging, community and togetherness
take time for being calm and peaceful through worship or reflection.

We believe Moral Development involves our children having the opportunity to:

determine a sense of right and wrong; developing a conscience
develop a personal code of conduct and understanding of rights and responsibilities
reflect on and justify the choices they make
foster the ability to problem solve and understand that actions have consequences
gain an awareness of own and others values.

We believe Social Development involves our children having the opportunity to:

• learn how to adapt their behaviour to suit the environment or situation

• develop an understanding and empathy towards others; and develop acceptance of difference

• learn respect for self and others

• participate and cultivate a sense of belonging, loyalty and community

• build friendships, work with others, developing appropriate social skills

• experience success and disappointment

• understand self and rights, responsibilities and aspirations

• develop their manners, taking turns, talking, listening, cooperation and communication skills

• understanding their emotions and learning to control them

We believe Cultural Development involves our children having the opportunity to:

Learn about others; their traditions and celebrations and be accepting of differences
Develop an awareness of one’s own culture and the transition and change in it
Understand people’s contexts and their history
Develop tolerance and acceptance of other people’s point of view
Value others and celebrating differences and diversity
Develop an openness to other beliefs and cultural differences
Experience a range of historical, modern and contemporary arts and activities

Typically this might look like:

In Foundation Stage

Talking about our school’s Golden Rules and establishing a shared code of conduct for the classroom and for different areas around school

In Key Stage 1

Taking part in ‘Special days’, which celebrate and support local, national and global events

In Key Stage 2

Participating in projects such as DARE and GREAT which support personal safety, health and well- being.

How can you be involved?

It is important to us that as parents and carers, you support what we are doing in school regarding the spiritual, cultural, moral and social skills of our children. We encourage your involvement in many ways through close home/school liaison, for example through newsletters, twitter, attendance at phase assemblies and performances during which children’s school and extra-curricular achievements are celebrated. Parents are also invited to a variety of parent workshops to in order to develop an understanding of how you can support your child at home.

Jackie Warren