Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education

At Anthony Curton, we are a school with soul. Our children develop as self confident, independent thinkers and have a genuine voice within the school through their democratically elected school council. We have a broad and balanced school curriculum underpinned by spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding and values. Our Christian values are firmly embedded in the daily life of our school. We prepare children in school for life in modern Britain by developing an age related, appropriate awareness of the four fundamental British Values of: Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We work very closely with our partner school, other schools within our geographical cluster and other schools who share our Christian ethos.

We firmly believe in our vision that this is “Our school, Our community, Our country”.

What is SMSC?

SMSC is about developing the whole child through:

• Spiritual
• Moral
• Social and
• Cultural activities

in an environment which enables all children to grow and flourish, become confident individuals and appreciate their own worth and that of others.

The Spiritual development of our pupils is shown by their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in 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.

This can be seen in our school through:

• RE lessons
• Acts of daily Collective Worship
• By facilitating regular opportunities for the children experience the “wow factor” or “spine tingling” moments
• Our Wonder Tree
• Question of the week
• Celebration assemblies
• Religious Celebrations

The Moral development of our pupils is shown by their:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives 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 being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

This can be seen in our school through:

• SEAL Programme (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning)
• Sustainability
• Fair trade issues
• Equalities, identities and diversity
• Discussions/debates around moral and ethical issues
• Emotional Support Programmes
• School behaviour policy (responsibility for own actions)
• An understanding of the moral teaching of the Bible and other religions
• The moral aspects of the school ethos

The Social development of our pupils 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 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; the pupils develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

 This can be seen in our school through:

• Collaborative tasks (including team building activities)
• Opportunities to vote
• Regular collaboration across partnership schools and year groups
• Peer coaching
• School council
• Playground Leaders
• After school activities
• Community events (locally, nationally, globally)
• School and community partnerships
• School trips
• Celebrating differences
• Cluster events

The Cultural development of our 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 within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• 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, 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, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

This can be seen in our school through:

• Links with local schools, churches, groups, businesses, charities, faiths etc
• Twinning, (Skype, email, letters, Blogs)
• Participation in cultural events
• School visits
• National and International events and celebrations
• Current affairs issues
• Enterprise activities
• School productions and acts of worship
• Visitors to school

 Collective Worship

School leaders ensure there is a range of stimulating Daily Acts of Collective Worship planned and delivered by many different adults and children. For example visiting Ministers and members of different Christian traditions.

Staff, Governors and Clergy are actively involved in delivering acts of collective worship.

Weekly themes for Collective Worship are based on those suggested by the Diocese of Ely Anglican website, and are followed by all staff leading Acts of Collective Worship.

Children are eager to participate in Acts of Collective Worship, and listen attentively, responding thoughtfully and positively. They regularly contribute relevant and appropriate prayers to Collective Worship.