Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

Rosewood Primary School

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Our school motto – Believe, Enjoy, Succeed Together (BEST) epitomises SMSC in our school and is the golden thread that is woven into all the work we do together at Rosewood.

Ofsted’s definition of SMSC is as follows:

Exploring beliefs and experiences; respecting faiths, feelings and values; enjoying learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; using imagination and being creative; reflection.

At Rosewood Primary School SMSC underpins what we do. We recognise that the personal development of the children – spiritually, morally, socially and culturally – plays a significant role in their ability to learn, and to grow into well rounded members of society.

We aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop:

• Their own values and beliefs
• Spiritual awareness
• High standards of personal behaviour
• A positive and caring attitude towards other people
• An understanding and respect for their and others social and cultural traditions
• An appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultures and the world around them.

Spiritual Development – the children’s beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for other people’s beliefs and values. We promote this through the following:

• Our Religious Education programme which includes visits to different places of worship;
• Assemblies which celebrate beliefs and cultures from around the world;
• Taking children out on school trips or inviting people into the school that inspire awe and wonder;
• A PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) programme that allows pupils to reflect on their own feelings and develop an understanding of the feelings of others;
• Developing creativity and imagination through play, literacy, art, design technology, music, dance and drama.

Moral Development – a pupil’s understanding, attitude and behaviour to what is right and what is wrong. This is developed through the following:

• Providing a clear moral code for behaviour which is promoted consistently through all aspects of the school – assemblies, our clear reward and sanction system, whole class awards, E-safety lessons, PSHE curriculum, Class Charters, Golden Time;
• Promoting equality in relation to religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender;
• Giving pupils opportunities to explore and develop moral concepts and values through the curriculum – PSHE, Enterprise topics, R.E., History, Geography, Literacy, Drama;
• Encouraging children to take responsibility for their actions, through PSHE and our Behaviour Policy;
• Learning about and raising money for charities;
• Adults modelling fairness, integrity and respect for all pupils;
• Recognising and respecting different cultures represented by pupils and staff in our school.

Social Development – a pupil’s progressive acquisition of the competencies and qualities needed to play a full part in society. We promote this through the following:

• Encouraging children to work co-operatively in the classroom and playground;
• Fostering a sense of community with common, inclusive values through assemblies, the PSHE curriculum, school summer fetes, cultural celebrations, sponsored events, and Open School events;
• Encouraging children to recognise and respect social differences and similarities;
• Providing children with opportunities to exercise leadership and responsibility through School Council, Sports Council, pupil parliament, playground pals, hall monitors and class monitors;
• Through the PSHE curriculum, helping pupils develop qualities which are valued by society, such as, thoughtfulness, honesty, respect for others, moral principles, independence, co-operation and self-respect.

Cultural Development – a child’s understanding of the beliefs, values and customs in their own and others social, ethnic and national groups. We promote this through:

• Celebrating the attitudes, values and traditions of diverse cultures through the curriculum, assemblies, school social events, and visitors to the school;
• Participating in cross county and district events such as the spelling bees, workshops that celebrate reading, writing and maths,  festivals, sports matches and competitions;
• Recognising and nurturing particular gifts and talents through after school clubs, talent shows, Enterprise projects, and the curriculum;
• Making links with schools abroad and participating in homework challenges.
• Recognising and celebration of national events such as the Olympics and Remembrance Day;
• Themed days linked to topics being studied throughout the school e.g. Roman Day.