SMSC

 

• Spiritual development is the progress of the elements of pupils that animates and sustains us.  It is about the development of a sense of identity, belonging, self-worth, meaning and purpose and the ability to reflect.
• Moral development is about the creation, largely by pupils, of a framework of values which regulates pupils’ behaviour, and about pupils’ understanding of society’s shared and agreed values.  It is about acquiring an understanding of right and wrong, and being able to apply this understanding within and outside school.  Moral development also includes pupils’ appreciation that different people hold different views on subjects, and being able to articulate their own opinions.
• Social development is the enhancemen of pupils’ ability to work effectively with each other in a school context, and participate constructively in the wider community.  It concerns the acquisition of the skills and qualities necessary to live and work together.  It includes developing an understanding of society’s institutions and pupils’ roles as citizens of the UK and the world.
• Cultural development is the growth of pupils’ understanding and appreciation of their own and others’ cultures.  It includes being able to live in a rapidly changing global culture, increasingly influenced by developments in travel, technological and communication, and being able to cope with the impact of such changes.

British Values

• The development of pupils’ understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.
• Develop an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety.
• Have an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence.
• Nurture an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.
• Promote an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
• Raise an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

Our Aim:

The aims of an SMSC and British Values education are:

• To ensure pupils’ education at Blakenhale is holistic rather than focussed narrowly on purely academic aspects of learning.
• To provide pupils 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. 
• To prepare pupils to contribute to society and culture throughout their lives, and enable them to participate actively and positively in the life of the school, their local community and wider society.
• To encourage pupils 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.
• To prepare pupils for modern Britain and cultivate model citizens, who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of democracy, rule of law, Individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

At Oasis Blakenhale we have made half termly links to develop SMSC through the International Primary Curriculum (See the IPC overview of the different elements addressed for each year group).  We also address many elements of SMSC through our collective worship, where we regularly hold assemblies based a diverse range of religions and British values. 

We also deliver the PATHS programme (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies).  The main aim of this programme involves helping children to:

• recognise emotions and values
• make constructive choices about personal and social behaviour
• show understanding and empathy for others

View our SMSC Curriculum Overview