SMSC

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must show how well their pupils develop in SMSC. 

Spiritual means to explore beliefs and experience; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect. 

Moral means to recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views. 

Social means to use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the ‘British values’ of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance. 

Cultural means to appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity. 

The Spiritual development of pupils is shown by their: 

• SMSC  (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) development ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life; 

• knowledge of, 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. The Moral development of pupils is shown by their: 

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England; 

• understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions; 

• interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues. 

The Social development of pupils is shown by their: 

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts; 

• 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 Cultural development of pupils is shown by their: 

• 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 in the school and further afield as an essential element of life in modern Britain; 

• ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities; 

• knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values; 

• willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, 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 and respect diversity