SMSC in the Curriculum
What is SMSC?
SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. It is an area of the curriculum that focuses on the personal development of pupils.
Pupils at AVESC are provided with opportunities to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through each of our curriculum subjects. Explicit opportunities to promote pupils’ development in these areas are provided in Religious Education and the non-statutory framework for personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship.
We believe that these areas are intrinsic to the daily life of the Academy. Pupils are taught the following important skills:
- Spiritual Development
- To be able to reflect about their own beliefs that informs their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values.
- To develop a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.
- To use imagination and creativity in their learning.
- To be willing to reflect upon their experiences.
Moral Development
- To be able to recognise the difference between right and wrong and readily apply this understanding in their own lives and therefore respect the civil and criminal law of England.
- To be able to understand the consequences of their actions and behaviours.
- To show an interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.
Social Development
- To be able to use a range of social skills in different contexts, including working with and socialising with pupils of different religious, ethnic and social economic backgrounds.
- To have a willingness to participate in different communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to solve conflicts effectively.
- To accept and engage fully with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.
Cultural Development
- To be able to understand and appreciate the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their heritage and that of others.
- To understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element for their preparation for life in modern Britain.
- To have a willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities.
- To develop an interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity.