Spiritual Moral Social and Cultural Development
We recognise that the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils is of fundamental importance in the ‘whole child’ education we strive to achieve. It supports all areas of learning and is key to a child’s motivation to learn. We recognise that such development is most successful when the values and attitudes promoted by all the staff provide a model of behaviour for our pupils. These values are outlined below:
Spiritual: Explore beliefs and experiences; respect values; discover oneself and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.
Moral: Recognise right and wrong; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.
Social: Use social skills in different contexts; work well with others; resolve conflicts; understand how communities work.
Cultural: Appreciate cultural influences; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
Pupils understand the need for rules and the need to abide by rules for the good of everyone. School and classroom rules reflect, reiterate, promote and reward acceptable behaviour and provide opportunities to celebrate pupils' work and achievements. We have several visitors in school to bring these messages to life such as immigration officers, barristers, and the CELLS Project, which demonstrated the impact of breaking the law and negative consequences associated with this. We reward children for doing the right thing both intrinsically and extrinsically and promote and celebrate positive behaviours through our ALWAYS CLUB and half-termly year group rewards
We aim to provide an education that gives pupils opportunities to explore and develop their own values, beliefs and spiritual awareness. Regular visits to museums, theatres, art galleries and places of worship help to bring this curriculum to life. Pupils demonstrate a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures whilst encompassing the British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with other faiths and beliefs. Weekly character assemblies reiterate these key messages as well as our PSHE JIGSAW curriculum and RE curriculum.
The integrity and spirituality of pupils from other faith backgrounds are respected and explored. The diversity of traditions are recognised, and pupils are given access to alternative views. Our children have the opportunity to visit a different place of worship every year in order to enhance their understanding and acceptance of different faiths and religions. We have visitors into school from different faiths and cultures as well as the local clergy which all help to demonstrate respect and understanding.
The school community is a place where pupils can find acceptance for themselves as unique individuals, and where resilience and the opportunity to start again is fundamental to the ethos of the school. Pupils learn to differentiate between right and wrong in as far as how their actions affect other people. They are encouraged to value themselves and others. Our positive behaviour policy’s restorative approach ensures that this happens and is applied consistently.
