Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across a student’s time within our school. The focus is on developing children’s characters and life skills, with a view to enabling them to become responsible, independent and invested citizens in the world that they will grow up in. SMSC is crucial to developing the personal, social and emotional skills of children, especially if they are going to reach their potential academically and more importantly, as adults of an ever-changing future.
Throughout Key Stages 3 & 4, students are exposed to a diverse range of topics covered by three Core Themes: Living in the Wider World, Emotional & Physical Wellbeing, and Spiritual, Moral & Cultural Education (which includes learning about a diverse range of both religious & secular communities, beliefs & faiths).
By the end of Year 7, students are able to discuss goals & aspirations for their future, developing an informed outlook on their education & wider, personal life; understanding how to identify & maintain positive, healthy relationships to support this growth, and protecting themselves from potentially unsafe & dangerous situations.
Within Year 8, students explore their own health and identity, reflecting both on the positive & negative influences that surround them within the local & wider community. They investigate & reflect on their own opinions & beliefs (religious or otherwise) and further grow knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values.
Moving into Year 9, the curriculum starts to address the practicalities of the students' future, in terms of employability, developing their digital literacy skills to support their growth into further/higher education & and their chosen career path. They also develop the ability to recognise the difference between right & wrong, applying this understanding within their own lives and raising awareness of the consequences of their actions in regards to the laws of England.
Within Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11), the focus shifts to some of the ‘bigger’ conversations on life: preparation for GCSE exams, both from a practical perspective in terms of revision strategies and techniques, but also emotional support with dealing with anxiety, and looking after your mental health. They also build upon their knowledge of world events, current affairs and controversial issues that may affect their future lives and shape their views & opinions, developing skills and attitudes that will allow the to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
SMSC is ‘at the heart’ of SFG’s development. It requires both staff and students alike to think about the kind of people we aspire to be, the kind of world we aspire to create, and the kind of education we aspire to provide.