Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development
Mowlem Primary School promotes a kind and caring ethos, the focus is on building self-esteem in the children through positive endorsement and encouragement, rather than criticism and punishment. Tolerance of others, and self-control, is emphasised.
The pervading aspiration is to allow the children to acquire the skills for adult life, while experiencing to the full the joy and wonder of childhood.
Children are encouraged to be independent, and not afraid to express their own individuality and stand apart from the crowd.
Every child is helped to explore how to achieve their own maximum potential – children are not pigeon-holed into boxes that do not fit them.
We recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve.
We therefore aim to provide an education that provides pupils with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures and of modern British life.
All curriculum areas have a contribution to make to the child's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and opportunities for this will be planned in each area of the curriculum.
Click HERE to see how pupils’ SMSC development is promoted across the curriculum.
The integrity and spirituality of pupils from all faith backgrounds will be respected and explored. The diversity of spiritual traditions will be recognised, and pupils will be given access to alternative views.
All adults will model and promote expected behaviour, treating all people as unique and valuable individuals and showing respect for pupils and their families.
The school community will be a place where pupils can find acceptance for themselves as unique individuals, and where forgiveness and the opportunity to start again is fundamental to the ethos of the school.
Pupils should learn to differentiate between right and wrong in as far as their actions affect other people. They will be encouraged to value themselves and others.
Pupils should understand the need for rules and the need to abide by rules for the good of everyone. School and classroom rules should reflect, reiterate, promote and reward acceptable behaviour and provide opportunities to celebrate pupils' work and achievements.
All curriculum areas should seek to use illustrations and examples drawn from as wide a range of cultural contexts as possible.
Development in SMSC will take place across all curriculum areas, within activities that encourage pupils to recognise the spiritual dimension of their learning, reflect on the significance of what they are learning, and to recognise any challenges that there may be to their own attitude and lifestyle.
All curriculum areas should seek illustrations and examples drawn from as wide a range of cultural contexts as possible.
Class discussions and Acts of Worship will give pupils opportunities to:
- Talk about personal experiences and feelings.
- Express and clarify their own ideas and beliefs.
- Speak about difficult events, e.g. bullying, death etc.
- Share thoughts and feelings with other people.
- Explore relationships with friends/family/others.
- Consider others’ needs and behaviour.
- Show empathy.
- Develop self-esteem and a respect for others.
- Develop a sense of belonging.
- Develop the skills and attitudes that enable pupils to develop socially, morally, spiritually and culturally — e.g. empathy, respect, open mindedness, sensitivity, critical awareness.
Click HERE to see SMSC links with the Curriculum.
Spiritual Development
As a school we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable pupils to:
- Sustain their self-esteem in their learning experience.
- Develop their capacity for critical and independent thought.
- Foster their emotional life and express their feelings.
- Experience moments of stillness and reflection.
- Discuss their beliefs, feelings, values and responses to personal experiences.
- Form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships.
- Reflect on, consider and celebrate the wonders and mysteries of life.
Moral development
As a school we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable pupils to:
- Recognise the unique value of each individual.
- Listen and respond appropriately to the views of others.
- Gain the confidence to cope with setbacks and learn from mistakes.
- Take initiative and act responsibly with consideration for others.
- Distinguish between right and wrong.
- Show respect for the environment.
- Make formed and independent judgments.
Social Development
As a school we aim to promote opportunities that will enable pupils to:
- Develop an understanding of their individual and group identity.
- Learn about service in the school and wider community.
Cultural Development
As a school we aim to promote opportunities that will enable pupils to:
- Recognise the value and richness of cultural diversity in Britain, and how these influence individuals and society.
- Develop an understanding of their social and cultural environment.
- Develop an understanding of Britain's local, national, European, Commonwealth and global dimensions.
British Values
As a school we aim to promote the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and will actively challenge opinions or behaviours that are contrary to these values.
Through our SMSC provision, we will:
- enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
- enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
- encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
- enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
- further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
- encourage respect for other people; and
- encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
- Children will develop their understanding of fundamental British Values in a range of ways, appropriate to the age of the pupils, including:
- inclusion of unit on democracy in the curriculum
- visits to places of democracy, including the Council Chambers, City Hall and Parliament
- mock elections, assemblies
- development of pupil voice within the school, including through the annually elected School Council
- opportunities to develop debating skills
- Inter Faith Week
- Heritage Week
- LBTH SACRE scheme of work for RE, with resources from a range of sources
- Visits to places of worship
Further information on our promotion of British Values can be found HERE