Our vision for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development
SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development. It is a key aspect of education in the UK. Essentially, SMSC is about helping students develop a range of personal and social skills that will enable them to become well-rounded, responsible, and engaged members of society.
The experiences that enrich a students’ SMSC capital can also increase their personal wellbeing. At OSA we strive to develop students holistically, as citizens ready to go out into the real world equipped with the life skills a good SMSC aspect to their education will bring.
SMSC engagement is developed by: Promoting racial, religious and other forms of equality; recognising and celebrating the different cultures represented in the school and wider community; participating in and responding positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities.
At OSA there are many opportunities to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Examples of where this is experienced in OSA are:
- Assemblies on Safeguarding and British Values and other “raising awareness” assemblies
- Charity work
- Diversity week
- Events and trips: for example, to theatres
- Being a Royal Shakespeare Associate school
- Extracurricular activities across the curriculum
- Visiting speakers
- LGBT club
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- Year 9 residential
- Debating issues in Votes for Schools sessions
- Culture festival in the Summer
- Learning about Protected Characteristics
- Student voice and the leadership and year councils
- Faculty ambassadors
- Arts council
- Wellbeing ambassadors
- Sports captains
- Work experience
- Sports fixtures
- Rewards and awards, PACE and Pupil Passport
All subjects support SMSC at some point in the year: Students study cultural food cooking, Historical events, Geographical events, French, RE, PSHE, Teamwork in PE lessons, Music from around the world, Art from different artists around the world, Shakespeare, classics of literature and develop social skills through Drama, team working in PE and in many other contexts….the list is endless!
For students in schools:
The spiritual development of pupils is shown by their:
- ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
- knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values
- sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
- use of imagination and creativity in their learning
- willingness to reflect on their experiences
The moral development of pupils is shown by their:
- ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England
- understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
- interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.
The social development of pupils is shown by their:
- use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
- acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
The cultural development of pupils is shown by their:
- understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
- understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
- ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across
cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
- knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
- willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
- interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept and respect diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum.
Gold standard:
The school’s clear vision for SMSC is reflected in its aims and has been developed with representatives from all members of the school community. The vision has been widely shared. It informs the school development plan. It celebrates the contribution of all areas of the curriculum. It also recognises the positive impact of SMSC on students, parents / carers, staff and the wider community.