What is SMSC?
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development brings together a diverse area of learning. Within our academy, the principles of SMSC play a key role in our interaction and belonging.
Planning
Our RAINBOW values are central to our creative curriculum planning which allows regular opportunities for pupils to discuss, reflect on and express their understanding and development of SMSC. In our RAINBOW values, the A stands for ASPIRE.
Our ASPIRE focus and expectations will be shared with the children during our ASPIRE assemblies which will be held on Mondays and then modelled and developed further in class sessions and throughout the school day. Children are given a broad range of experiences in all aspects of SMSC which link to our ASPIRE work, supported greatly by our PSHE and RE schemes JIGSAW and Discovery RE as well as our work towards our Rights Respecting Schools award.
Oracy
Speaking and being able to eloquently express ourselves is as important as reading, writing and maths. Young people need to be able to talk in a range of settings and styles, using a wide vocabulary with fluency. We will ensure pupils develop excellent oral communication skills through well-structured and high quality talk in lessons and by spending time building pupils’ confidence so they are able to make friends, form meaningful relationships, be kind to others and find their own voice.
Pupil Voice
Each class will select a class representative for our school council. This class representative conveys their class’s wishes and concerns to the school council, offering a way to hear pupils’ voices on any area of school life. This is then conveyed to the principal at Highfields Spencer Academy.
Enrichment
Our curriculum provides opportunities to learn, express ourselves and to be part of our community with different daily activities such as massage sessions, yoga and relaxation, mindful thinking – time to talk and reflect.
Our project based learning gives pupils the opportunity to work together in creative ways to produce high quality finished pieces. Part of the process towards finished pieces will include visits and experiences that provide a variety of cultural experiences.
Often we have visitors in school from our community and wider world who will help us understand and support our thinking and engagement in society.
Clubs
Clubs will play a fundamental part in life at Highfields and will provide a variety of social activities. These clubs will be created by the staff for the children following the interests the children have expressed through their school council.
Events
At Highfields we will make positive memories for all children. Each half term we will hold a school council meeting to convey pupils’ views and encourage pupils to take a lead on various subjects, for example, fund raising, awareness of national events, our environmental needs and how we can support our local and national community. Our school council members will organise events for their fellow pupils and enlighten and develop their knowledge of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development.
Assessment
At the end of each term (Autumn 2, Spring 2 and Summer 2), our teachers will assess the children’s development in SMSC. The EXCELLENCE grids allow the staff to see which children are beginning, developing and secure in their SMSC awareness. This information then gets transferred onto Google drive where all data is then stored and made accessible for all.