At St Anne’s we are dedicated to developing the whole student. We firmly believe in a holistic education, experience and curriculum that ensures that our students grow into responsible and positive members of the community. We believe that the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development of our students is a central part of our purpose, along with ensuring excellent standards in the classroom. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop their own values, whilst recognising that those of others may differ. Beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour including 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 are all critical skills and dispositions that we nurture, encourage and develop through our subject and wider curriculum. SMSC development is also closely linked to our SACRED Values which underpin the ethos of our school.
Spiritual
Explore beliefs and experience; respect values; discover oneself and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.
Moral
Recognise right and wrong; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.
Social
Use social skills in different contexts; work well with others; resolve conflicts; understand how communities work.
Cultural
Appreciate cultural influences; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
Our mission at St Anne’s is to make sure SMSC is developed through a whole school approach, through the taught curriculum, the pastoral and assembly programme and through trips, visits and the extra-curricular programme. We will ensure that students are clear that SMSC is not just something that is ‘taught’ but also something that is ‘caught’ through their active membership in the school community.
How do we develop SMSC in our students?
- Provide students with the opportunity to work independently and show that they can be self-reliant learners.
- Provide opportunities for students to develop teamwork and leadership skills.
- Encourage students to actively participate and engage in lessons.
- Provide the opportunity for students to reflect and develop thinking skills.
- Encourage students to display consideration, cooperation, courtesy and respect to their peers and to staff.
- Provide students with opportunities to be creative and develop a fascination for subjects/topics.
Practical examples of how students develop their SMSC at St Anne's:
- Working together in different groupings and situations.
- Taking responsibility, leading e.g. participating in assembly, anti-bullying ambassadors, student council
- Encouraging teamwork in all group activities.
- Showing appreciation of the performances of other children regardless of ability.
- Meeting people from different cultures and countries.
- Participation in a variety of different educational visits.
- Participation in live performances.
- Use of assembly themes
- Studying the ‘Arts’ from different cultures supported by visits from artists and participating in workshops.
- Opportunities for the children to hear and see live performances by professional actors, dancers and musicians.
- Opportunities to make and evaluate food from other countries.
- Studying the contributions to society that certain famous, historical and influential people have made.