Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) Development

SMSC is a very important aspect of our school learning and culture.​

We have an assembly programme built on themes and festivals and important calendar events adapted to be appropriate to the pupils needs.

Underpinning SMSC is our whole school commitment to the THRIVE, SCERTS approach which helps us identify individual social and emotional barriers to learning for our children and then develop their character and personal development through a nurture-based approach.

Spiritual development

We explore beliefs from all faiths in RE and RE days and assemblies.  Pupils are encouraged to reflect and explore ideas in lessons this includes

• exploring their beliefs and beliefs of others
• Experiencing joy through rich play activities indoors and outdoors
• Showing curiosity about life's big questions.
• Experiencing awe and wonder.
• Enjoying creativity and imagination.
• Respecting the beliefs and faiths of others.
• Reflecting on their feelings and experiences.
• Appreciate beauty in nature, art, music, or literature.

Moral development

The school has rules: Ready, Respectful and Safe that are used throughout the school.  The rules are simple and used throughout the school to emphasise the difference between right and wrong and explore good choices. Our Zones of Regulation strategy allows pupils times to reflect and understand feelings and behaviours.

Social development

Our SCERTS, Thrive and Outdoor Play and Learning all foster and develop social skills and develop character. We have a big focus on developing social communication skills for our ASC pupils to help them feel fully included.  There are communication boards and AAC devices in school to facilitate. Our Outdoor Play and learning feed into our vision that our pupils have the skills and confidence to be included in our community.  There are community events that include workplace learning visits, choir performances and sports events. Our behaviour policy focuses on restorative conversations and approaches helping pupils resolve conflicts. We have completed Rights Respecting Schools work up to Silver and adapted it to help our pupils understand.  Our school values of tolerance and respect are based on ‘British Values’. Pupil voice is represented in Pupil Council, Eco-council and the Change team.

Cultural development

We have regular cultural days that focus on different cultures each time, languages, food, dress and beliefs. We recognise all the main cultural festivals through our assembly programme and RE curriculum.

Summary

SMSC is embedded throughout the curriculum especially in Humanities, Music and Art, PSHE and The Story Project and Outdoor Play and Learning (OPaL) 

Our Mission is to Nurture, Challenge and Inspire and we try to inspire awe and wonder by providing many enriching experiences for the pupils

• Creative arts week that includes Live Music, Samba workshops, an Art Gallery of pupil and staff’s art work and visits and links to a Local Gallery.
• Science, RE and cultural themed days.
• Horticulture that includes an allotment, polytunnel and a kindness garden for pupils to experience the beauty of nature and growing things.
• A school therapy dog
• A wide variety of After School Clubs
• Sporting and healthy living initiatives
• Residential trips to the New Forest
• Stay and Play events for parents and pupils promoting the power of play
• School productions in primary and Secondary
• Duke of Edinburgh
• Charity Events to develop an understanding of the needs of others and develop altruism- including Jeans for Genes, comic relief and Children in Need.

SMSC is at the heart of all we do and links closely with our personal development programme.