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“Let Your Light Shine!” - Matthew 5:16

Shirley Avenue

Gomersal

Cleckheaton

Bradford

BD19 4NA

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Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) Policy


Our Vision

Gomersal St. Mary’s CE (C) School is a community of learning and growth where everyone is valued, challenged and inspired to fulfil their potential and to shine brightly in their own unique ways as we travel on our journey together. Everyone is encouraged to nurture the light in those around them and to provide light to others who might need support to find their own light.

This is summed up in our school vision which underpins everything we do:

‘Let your light shine’ Matthew 5:16.

This is underpinned by our key Christian values, our Steps to Success:

  • Friendship
  • Forgiveness
  • Love
  • Respect
  • Resilience

Aims and objectives

Gomersal St. Mary’s CE (C) Primary School we strive to create a learning environment which promotes fundamental Christian and British values and equips all of our pupils with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they will need to succeed, or ‘shine’, in their future lives.

The curriculum provides a wide range of artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities that encourage pupils to work together and use imagination in their learning. Activities are planned that require pupils to reflect and empathise with others as well as giving them the confidence to provide their opinions and develop their own viewpoints. Teachers outline the areas in which they will meet SMSC objectives in unit-based topic plans in the same way that we plan for other areas of the curriculum as we believe that the Spiritual, Social, Moral and Cultural development of pupils is fundamental to equipping our children with the foundations they need to become happy, healthy and successful individuals capable of contributing positively to the world.

Though SMSC is planned for through our topic plans, teachers recognise the need to skillfully adapt and respond to opportunities that present themselves throughout their daily teaching. This is why, although this policy sets out the aims of our SMSC development strategies, it is by no means exhaustive in covering the range and depth of experiences offered to pupils at our school.

Spiritual Development

As a school we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable pupils to:

  • Sustain their self-esteem in their learning experience.
  • Develop their capacity for critical and independent thought.
  • Foster their emotional life and express their feelings.
  • Experience moments of stillness and reflection.
  • Discuss their beliefs, feelings, values and responses to personal experiences.
  • Form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships.
  • Reflect on, consider and celebrate the wonders and mysteries of life.
  • Express themselves through art.
  • Recognise and reflect on Christian approaches to Spiritual Development.

Moral development

As a school we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable pupils to:

  • Recognise the unique value of each individual.
  • Recognise the challenge of Jesus’ teaching.
  • Witness the principles we aim to promote through the example set by staff.
  • Listen and respond appropriately to the views of others.
  • Gain the confidence to cope with setbacks and learn from mistakes.
  • Take initiative and act responsibly with consideration for others.
  • Distinguish between right and wrong.
  • Appreciate themselves as a valuable member of a fully inclusive school.
  • Show respect for the environment.
  • Make informed and independent judgements.
  • Develop awareness of local, national and world issues and their moral implications.

Social Development

As a school we aim to promote opportunities that will enable pupils to:

  • Develop an understanding of their individual and group identity.
  • Learn about service in the school and wider community.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of their neighbours through exploration of different faiths and cultures to develop tolerance and respect.
  • See themselves as ambassadors for change, a force for good.
  • Support each other in their educational journeys.
  • Begin to understand the Christian imperative for social justice and a concern for the disadvantaged.

Cultural Development

As a school we aim to promote opportunities that will enable pupils to:

  • Recognise the value and richness of cultural diversity in Britain, and how these influence individuals and society.
  • Value music of all types from throughout history in worship.
  • Value stories from other cultures and faiths.
  • Recognise Christianity as a world faith.
  • Understand the value of democracy.
  • Develop an understanding of their social and cultural environment.
  • Develop an understanding of Britain’s local, national, European, Commonwealth and global dimensions.

Teaching and Organisation

Development in SMSC will take place across all curriculum areas, within activities that encourage pupils to recognise the spiritual dimension of their learning, reflect on the significance of what they are learning, and to recognise any challenges that there may be to their own attitude and lifestyle.

All curriculum areas should seek illustrations and examples drawn from as wide a range of cultural contexts as possible.

Class discussions and circle time will give pupils opportunities to:

  • Talk about personal experiences and feelings.
  • Express and clarify their own ideas and beliefs.
  • Speak about difficult events, e.g. bullying, death etc.
  • Share thoughts and feelings with other people.
  • Explore relationships with friends/family/others.
  • Consider others’ needs and behaviour.
  • Show empathy.
  • Develop self-esteem and a respect for others.
  • Develop a sense of belonging.
  • Develop the skills and attitudes that enable pupils to develop socially, morally, spiritually and culturally — e.g. empathy, respect, open-mindedness, sensitivity, critical awareness

Many curriculum areas provide opportunities to:

  • Listen and talk to each other.
  • Learn an awareness of treating all as equals.
  • Agree and disagree.
  • Take turns and share equipment.
  • Work cooperatively and collaboratively.
  • Links with the wider community
  • Develop aspiration

Visitors are welcomed into school.

Links with the Church are fostered through links with the local churches and the Diocesan Board of Education.

The development of a strong home-school link is regarded as very important, enabling parents and teachers to work in an effective partnership to support the pupil.

Pupils will be taught to appreciate their local environment and to develop a sense of responsibility to it.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Provision for SMSC is monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

This is achieved by:

  • Subject leaders will ensure aspects of SMSC run through the whole curriculum.
  • Subject leaders will monitor resource provision, identifying shortfalls.
  • SLT will ensure that there is a strong and consistent approach to SMSC throughout the whole life of the school.
  • The headteacher shall have oversight of this policy and monitor the provision of SMSC.