Promoting our Pupils’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

Promoting Fundamental British Values Through SMSC Guidance

Spiritual Development

Children participate in Religious Education where they explore their own religious and spiritual identities, as well as those of their classmates. We invite our parish priests, Father David and Father John to our school to support children’s learning and children participate in visits to places of worship.

We celebrate significant experiences and ensure that children have the opportunity to feel special and valued. Families are invited to share important moments with us.

We create opportunities where children can develop awareness of the world and its capacity to inspire awe and wonder. We use our bespoke St Catherine’s Curriculum which comprises of imaginative learning projects that are creative, flexible, thematic, inspiring and engaging. We encourage children to use imagination and creativity in their learning.

We plan times for children to take part in opportunities to be quiet and reflective. We give them space for their own thoughts, ideas and concerns.

 

Moral Development

We encourage children to respond appropriately to the needs and feelings of others and to show consideration and kindness to others. We create opportunities for children to learn from people who are excellent models of positive behaviour.

We teach children to communicate in ways that will enable them to form positive relationships and enjoy participating in school and community life.

We give children opportunities across the curriculum to explore and develop moral concepts and values – for example, personal rights and responsibilities, truth, justice, equality of opportunity, right and wrong. We also provide models of moral virtue through literature, humanities, sciences, arts, assemblies and acts of worship.

 

Social Development

We provide a range of activities which develop children’s social skills and understanding, like how to care for people, living things, property and the environment. We teach children to work cooperatively as a member of a group or team, taking turns and sharing within a range of social contexts.

We create opportunities for children to develop positive relationships with peers and adults, including those who have different needs. We teach children to help and support others and to experience being helped by others.

We teach a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and with a range of needs and abilities.

Cultural Development

We celebrate each other’s cultural identities and teach children to value their own cultural heritage and develop a positive, personal identity, and to show respect for other people’s values and beliefs.

We encourage children to participate in, and respond positively to a range of artistic, musical, sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities.

We provide opportunities for children to experience and respond positively to the languages, food, music, artefacts and cultural practices of different and diverse communities.

We encourage children to show an interest in exploring cultural diversity and show positive responses towards different religions, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.