SMSC: points to add activities to…

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SMSC is within a school’s  culture.

Consider the points below and I think you will have very little problem in thinking of ideas. Good to see creativity, enjoyment and curiosity being mentioned.

Have a look at:   http://www.smsc.org.uk/

SMSC: what inspectors are looking for

The 2012 Ofsted handbook school (p27) states: An ‘outstanding’ school: “The school’s thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development enables them to thrive in a supportive, highly cohesive learning community.” Where pupils:

  • are reflective about beliefs, values and more profound aspects of human experience, using their imagination and creativity, and developing curiosity in their learning
  • develop and apply an understanding of right and wrong in their school life and life outside school
  • take part in a range of activities requiring social skills
  • develop awareness of and respect for diversity in relation to, for example, gender, race, religion and belief, culture, sexual orientation and disability
  • gain a well-informed understanding of the options and challenges facing them as they move through the school and on to the next stage of their education and training
  • develop an appreciation of theatre, music, art and literature
  • develop the skills and attitudes to enable them to participate fully and positively in democratic modern Britain”

An ‘Inadequate’ school (p28) is likely to one where

  • “…there are serious weaknesses in the overall promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.”“Evidence of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development can be found, for example, where pupils:

  Ofsted Subsidiary Guidance April 2013 update (p25)/ April 2014 update (p37 onwards)   Inspectors advised to ‘ Look for evidence in…’

… lesson observations of different subjects like RE, art and music.

Discussion with pupils and staff will provide an important insight into how well SMSC is planned as part of the curriculum in other subjects [and] … should investigate whether there is a coherent approach to the promotion of SMSC through activities such as tutorials, citizenship programmes and discussions with pupils about their work

Defining SPIRITUAL development

124. Pupils’ spiritual development is shown by their:

  • beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s feelings and values
  • sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them, including the intangible
  • use of imagination and creativity in their learning
  • willingness to reflect on their experiences

  Defining MORAL development 125. Pupils’ moral development is shown by their:

  • ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and their readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives
  • understanding of the consequences of their actions
  • interest in investigating, and offering reasoned views about, moral and ethical issues

  Defining SOCIAL development 126. Pupils’ social development is shown by their:

  • use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
  • willingness to participate in a variety of social settings, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
  • interest in, and understanding of, the way communities and societies function at a variety of levels.

Defining CULTURAL development 127. Pupils’ cultural development is shown by their:

  • understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage
  • willingness to participate in, and respond to, for example, artistic, musical, sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities
  • interest in exploring, understanding of, and respect for cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

A lot of this goes on in classrooms every day. Don’t see it as a diversion, but as everyday practice. Always worth being able to identify where SMSC examples are… if someone asks!

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