Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)
Spiritual
Exploring beliefs and experiences; respecting all faiths and values; discovering and learning about the world and your place within it; using imagination and creativity; reflecting on your actions.
At Trinity Academy Halifax we believe that spirituality is developed in 4 ways:
- Through understanding ourselves
- Through understanding others
- Through understanding the world around us
- Through understanding an ‘other’ (this may be a God)
Please refer to our Spirituality Policy for more information about how the academy provides students with opportunities to develop their spirituality across the curriculum.
Students will consider:
- How would different faiths and religions respond?
- How has your learning changed your viewpoint?
- How might you react differently next time?
Moral
Recognising right and wrong; understanding choices and consequences; respecting the law and understanding the consequences of breaking the law; investigating moral and ethical issues; offering a reasoned viewpoint.
Students will consider:
- What is the difference between right and wrong?
- What are the consequences of my actions?
- How might someone support your viewpoint? How might someone argue against it?
Social
Using a range of social skills appropriately in different contexts; appreciating diverse viewpoints; showing tolerance of the views of others; resolving conflict; engaging with British values (democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance).
Students will consider:
- Why are there different viewpoints on this issue?
- How could this issue be resolved peacefully?
- Does this promote British values?
Cultural
Appreciating cultural influences; understanding the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participating in cultural opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
Students will consider:
- How has this influenced British values and culture?
- How has this event shaped people locally, nationally and internationally?
- Is this a significant issue in modern Britain?
How do we promote SMSC development in our students?
Students are given the opportunity to develop SMSC through the curriculum, VT sessions and in assemblies. The provision is mapped across all subject areas. Some of the opportunities within the programme include:
- Road safety theatre
- Mental health and resilience week
- Fire safety education
- Holocaust Memorial Day activities.
This enables students to:
- Develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence
- Distinguish right from wrong and to respect the law of England
- Accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to their academy and community
- Develop tolerance of others and their faith/beliefs
- Encourage respect for others.
In addition, SMSC activities promote fundamental British values.
As a result of this work we expect our students to have:
- An understanding of how they as citizens, in our academy and in their local community, can bring about influence through a democratic process
- An understanding regarding the rule of law and how it aims to protect individuals and the need for it to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all
- An understanding of the freedom of choice, particularly related to choice regarding faith and beliefs, and how these choices are protected in law
- An acceptance of others who hold differing beliefs, faiths and opinions and that tolerance is required and how discriminatory or prejudicial behaviour is against the values and ethos of this academy but also is against the law
- An understanding of the importance of identifying discriminatory behaviours and actions and also understanding that action needs to be taken to combat such behaviours.
NB: Parts of the above are taken from ‘Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools’ – DfE, November 2014