Download Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
Last Reviewed: January 2015
Next Review: January 2017
The statutory requirement that schools should encourage Spiritual, Moral, Social
and Cultural development (SMSC) was first included in the Education Reform Act
1988. Legislation on race equality, special educational needs, disability, sexual
orientation, religion and age has significant links to students’ SMSC development.
We have a statutory duty to ensure that students are not discriminated against
and to promote good relations.
The academy also takes seriously its duty to support the core values that are
expressed as ‘Britishness’. This refers to core values which are integral to our
nation, the rule of law and the behaviour standards we uphold. At this academy,
we have a diverse population amongst both students and staff and we recognize
that many other nations may also uphold these same values. However, as an
academy community in the heart of London, collectively we agree with and adhere
to these values, whatever our nationality. Therefore the academy promotes:
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an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through
the democratic process;
an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens
and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;
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;
an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and
beliefs is protected in law;
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; and
an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting
discrimination
At Harris Girls’ Academy we firmly believe that Spiritual, Moral, Social and
Cultural development supports and strengthens our mission ‘Aspire, Learn,
Succeed’. Our caring ethos, and the value which we place on the development of
the whole child, spiritually, morally, socially, culturally and intellectually is reflected
throughout the Academy and in our curriculum and extra curricular activities, our
approach to learning and teaching, behaviour for learning, and through our
coaching system and home room time. These values are embedded throughout
our working practice and are reflected in related policies and our Improvement
Plans.
How do we promote and develop SMSC across the Academy?
We provide a supportive environment and place a strong emphasis on building
positive, caring attitudes towards other people, an understanding of their social
and cultural traditions, and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other
cultures. In the day to day life of the Academy, we expect all adults to model and
promote the behaviour that reflects our values. We recognise that the personal
development of students plays a significant part in their ability to learn, achieve
and to develop their skills to be able to contribute to the community as an active
responsible citizen. To show we are truly committed to this, we have allocated a
period of time for ‘Home Room’ activities, so that every day students spend quality
time with their Learning Coach. Students also participate in one assembly each
week, which is further supported by the Harris Values. A different value is the
theme for each month. The key message to everyone at the Academy is ‘we’re
on the same side.’ The ‘At A Glance’ document that is displayed around the
Academy gives a clear summary of the Academy Principles and how we support
SMSC across the Academy.
We further track our overt delivery of SMSC themes through the taught curriculum
and ensure that these are available to parents and students on our website.
Heads of Department are responsible for ensuring that these programmes are
effectively delivered and that the themes covered are done so with sensitivity and
openness.
Our Aims for SMSC
Spiritual Development is about what it is to be human, to grow as a person, to
become self aware and to develop relationships with others.
To promote Spiritual Development of students we support the development of:
 Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that
inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different
people’s faiths, feelings and values
 Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others
and the world around them
 Use of imagination and creativity in their learning
 Willingness to reflect on their experiences
Moral Development is considered as personal development relating to human
behaviour, especially the distinction between good and bad or right and wrong.
To promote Moral Development of students we support the development of:
 Ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong, readily apply
this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and
criminal law of England
 Understanding of consequences of their behavior and actions
 Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and
ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints
of others on these issues
Social Development is concerned with living in a community rather than alone.
To promote Social Development of students we support the development of:
 Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and
socializing with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic
backgrounds
 Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings,
including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to
resolve conflicts effectively
 Acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of
democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and
tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; the pupils develop and
demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in
and contribute positively to life in modern Britain
Cultural Development is concerned with the total of inherited ideas, beliefs,
values and knowledge which constitute the shared basis for social acceptance
and community cohesion.
To promote Cultural Development of students we support the development of:
 Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences
that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
 Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within
school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life
in modern Britain
 Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role
in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
 Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and
cultural opportunities
 Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for
different faiths and cultural diversity, and the extent to which they
understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity; as shown by their
tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socioeconomic groups in the local, national and global communities
How our Aims will be Achieved
• Through our Academy principles which include common core values shared by
students, parents, staff and the Governing Body which reflect an ethos which
fosters spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
• Assemblies and Home Room Time. These opportunities will allow students to
reflect and explore their own thoughts and feelings which promote a positive
corporate identity aspiration and achievement.
• The Academy’s PHSE (personal, health and social education) programme that
explores ethical and moral issues such as the family, citizenship, law, human
rights, crime, drugs alcohol and sex and relationship education.
• Curricular opportunities for understanding specific issues within curriculum areas
– these are overtly mapped
• Compulsory Religious Education which plays a part in addressing the SMSC
development. This is delivered through lessons in years 7&8 and through drop
down days in years 9-11 as well as through the RS and exam syllabus.
• A variety of extra curricular activities are available throughout the academic year.
• Educational visits and trips.
• Supporting charities through fund raising including our social enterprise
company, HOPE.
• Family involvement and support in reinforcing Academy values.
 Students can opt for Citizenship as part of their GCSE package
 The academy offers a range of additional education through outside
agencies in partnership with our School Police Officer
The Outcomes and Impact of SMSC Development
• The Academy’s published set of principles result in a shared process and
underpin all aspects of SMSC development.
• The Academy community is harmonious and celebrates cultural diversity.
•The Academy is a vibrant, calm learning environment where work and
achievement is celebrated.
• Assembles and Home Room Time involve staff and students in a variety of ways
and promote SMSC development.
• Within the Academy, students demonstrate appropriate standards of behaviour
and dress.
• Within the Academy, students and staff demonstrate appropriate attitudes
towards one another, characterised by fairness, tolerance, multi racial awareness,
mutual respect as well as respect for the physical environment.
• Through their actions, students are guided by, and have respect for the
Academy’s Harris Manners’.
• Students take increasing responsibility for themselves and others through their
relationships and participation in Academy life including student leadership
activities.
• Students have access to opportunities to be involved in Charity work, Fund
raising, Community Service, Work Experience.
• Students are involved in a range of cultural activities in and beyond the
Academy.
• The Academy’s PHSE programme is delivered and monitored and students are
able to demonstrate an awareness of ethical and moral issues.
• Curriculum areas promote SMSC knowledge and understanding.
• All students receive compulsory Religious Education as legally required either
through timetabled lessons or via drop down days.
• Extra curricular activities are monitored for relevance and participation.
• Strong partnership with families.