Spiritual development relates
to the beliefs, feelings and emotions through which children acquire worthwhile
insights into their own lives. All areas of the curriculum may contribute to
spiritual development. Although education and spiritual development are not
synonymous, school experiences can make a significant contribution to spiritual
development.
Moral development refers to the children’s knowledge, understanding, intentions,
attitudes and behaviour in relation to what is right
and wrong. Orchard Grove has a well-established Positive Behaviour policy and
staff promote a supportive Restorative Justice approach to the
management of challenging behaviour.
Social development relates to the skills and personal
qualities necessary for individuals to function effectively in society.
Cultural development refers to pupils increasing understanding
and response to those elements, which give societies and groups their unique
character. Orchard Grove will promote the cultural traditions of our own area and
the ethnic and cultural diversity of the world.
SMSC has been a part of education since the
Education Act in 1944. However, more recently SMSC has been highlighted in the
Education Act (2002) and in the Ofsted inspection framework. All maintained
schools are now required to show that they are meeting the needs of their
pupils through a broad and balanced SMSC and British Values education.
As detailed by the 2014 Department of Education
advice for maintained schools, in order to meet the needs of a child’s SMSC
education, schools should:
Here at Orchard Grove, we meet the needs for our
pupils through whole school and phase assemblies and recognition and
celebration of national days such as Remembrance Day. SMSC is taught directly
in weekly PSHE lessons through its clear links with the Jigsaw
programme. We also cover British Values through our Picture News
lessons and during assemblies. These sessions allow for discussions and
classroom based activities linked to SMSC and the fundamental British
Values:
Democracy - pupil voice is an extremely important part of school life and at the heart of our school; ensuring that pupils have a say in what happens at Orchard Grove.
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs - mutual respect is at the heart of our Orchard
Grove attributes and through our curriculum we actively promote a sound
understanding of different faiths and cultures. Orchard Grove promotes the
acceptance of differences of faith, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality
to reinforce the messages of tolerance and respect for others as well raise
awareness of issues around bullying and prejudice. We actively challenge
pupil’s parents and staff who express views contrary to those stated.
Individual liberty - we promote freedom of choice and the right
to respectfully express views and beliefs. Pupils are actively encouraged to
make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive
environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices
safely, through a planned curriculum. Safeguarding is embedded within all
aspects of school life therefore, within the realms of individual liberty and
exercising their rights and personal freedoms, children are also taught the
importance of keeping themselves safe. This includes personal safety and
e-safety.
Mutual respect - pupils learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own
rights and those of others. All members of the Orchard Grove community treat each other
with respect and we work together to help one another.
Rule of law - at Orchard Grove we strive to ensure that our children recognise
their responsibility to be law abiding citizens. Through assemblies, our
curriculum and our whole school ethos and values children gain a sound
understanding of why we need rules and laws and the consequences of them being
broken. Visits from authorities such the Police and Fire Service help reinforce
this message. Whether they be those that govern the class, the school or the
country, rules are consistently reinforced in school.
In the EYFS children also complete weekly Picture
News activities as an introduction to the fundamental British Values.
Overall SMSC is a vital part of the curriculum
because it not only supports children and young people’s individual development
but the development of society as a whole.
Ofsted highlights the importance of SMSC as central
to the development and growth of pupils as people and at the heart of what
teachers would say education is all about.
(Promoting and evaluating pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural
development’ OFSTED March 2004.)
You can find out more about SMSC and British
Values by viewing SMSC and BV Policy