What is SMSC?

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must support children’s SMSC development. At Eaton Park Academy, we want our pupils to be successful, confident learners and responsible citizens. We recognise the importance of both the academic and personal development and well-being of every child in our school. This includes recognising the importance of providing a range of opportunities for our pupils to experience, engage with and respond to, which supports their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

SMSC is taught at Eaton Park Academy as a ‘hidden subject’, which filters through all curriculum delivery and provision. This subject area contributes significantly in creating ‘well-rounded pupils’ at the end of Key Stage Two. Our SMSC teaching is interwoven like a golden thread throughout the curriculum. It is evidenced throughout pupils’ work, within displays, within floor books and through teaching and learning, showing the learning that has taken place.

SMSC is the over- arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum. It requires us, as teaching staff within the school to think about the type of people we aspire to be, the type of world we aspire to create and the type of education that we aspire to provide. SMSC is broken down into four strands.

What does each aspect of SMSC include?

Spiritual: The opportunity to explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences.

Moral: The opportunity to learn what is right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views.

Social: The opportunity to use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict.

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

At Eaton Park Academy, we seize every opportunity to teach the values of SMSC. School assemblies and events, Religious Education, Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education and Curriculum Enrichments (e.g trips and after school clubs) are part of the ethos of the school which children experience on a daily basis. They have SMSC opportunities throughout the whole curriculum, but we have created some opportunities for the pupils to monitor and evaluate their own progress towards becoming a confident responsible citizen. Our Master Values Passports use our academy values, and give the pupils an excellent tool to complete tasks, and seek experiences that help them to develop their character. Pupils are given opportunities to take on responsibility around the school, for example, School Council, Ambassadors, Playground Leaders, Eco Warriors and other junior leadership roles.

The school has a clear behaviour policy that sets high expectations and promotes a good moral understanding, mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. Each class has the opportunity each year to perform to other year groups and their parents through a year group assembly and annual phase performances.  Through a combination of approaches the school is able to ensure that children develop an understanding of the key British Values: Democracy, Rule of Law, Mutual Respect, Personal Liberty and Tolerance of other faiths and cultures.