SMSC at Westgate
A school has a duty not just to the academic progress of the students, but also to develop and nurture each student as an individual. SMSC refers to the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of a child and at Westgate Primary School we do this by ensuring that all aspects of school life reflect the ideology that the child as a whole counts.
- Spiritual: Explore beliefs and experience; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect
- Moral: Recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views and have an appreciation of British Values.
- Social: Investigate and moral issues; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the fundamental values of British democracy.
- Cultural: Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain's parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
At Westgate Primary School, we are committed to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the children. We aim to prepare them to take a full role in society as happy, confident individuals and good citizens.
The development of our spiritual, moral, social, cultural and British values is a key aspect of our curriculum and is woven through our school ethos and daily life. Through our long/medium term planning, together with enriching experiences, children have the opportunity to explore values and beliefs, including different religions, and the way in which they impact on peoples’ lives.
Our behaviour and relationship policy equips our children to be reflective, enabling children to develop an understanding of their own and others’ feelings and emotions and the way in which our actions impact on other people.
We aim to provide an all-inclusive opportunity to build and reinforce community values; reflect on and understand elements of life which are of value and worth; provide a variety of opportunities for spiritual, moral, social, cultural and intellectual development; provide opportunities for expressing shared experiences and interests and for celebrating special occasions together; and provide opportunities in which pupils report on their interactions with other year groups, staff and the wider community.
We want children to:
- Be respectful and reflective about their own beliefs, and those of others locally, nationally and globally;
- Be informed and fascinated by diversity;
- Be imaginative and creative;
- Recognise right and wrong, understand the consequences of their actions, and respect the law;
- Be able to discuss ethical and moral issues in a reasoned manner;
- Use social skills in a range of situations;
- Want to help others in the immediate and wider communities;
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance of others (sometimes referred to as ‘British Values’);
- Appreciate that there are many cultures, all of which are shaped by others and which continuously develop and interlink in modern Britain;
- Have a basic understanding of the parliamentary system of government;
- Have opportunities to experience and take part in a wide range of cultural activities, such as sport, drama, art, dance and music.
- Have opportunities to meet different people and find out about different careers and choices.
