Social Moral Spritual and Cultural (L) AET Policy - Secondary EXAMPLE

Social Moral Spritual and Cultural (L) AET Policy - Secondary EXAMPLE

SMSC Policy

Policy Agreed: 25th May 2016

Review Date: May 2017

1.POLICYSTATEMENT

1.Introduction

TheEducationAct(1996and2011)seteducationwithinthecontextofthespiritual,moral, cultural,mentalandphysicaldevelopmentofpupils.Thesedimensionsunderpinthe curriculumandtheethosoftheAcademy.Theirimportanceisreinforcedbytheirplacein theinspectionframeworkforschoolswhichderivesitsauthorityfromtheEducation (Schools)Act,1992.TheyapplynotonlytoREandcollectiveworshipbuttoeveryareaof thecurriculum.TheAcademyrecognisesitmusttakeopportunitieswhichexistinthe curriculumtodeveloppupils'spiritual, moral,social andculturalawareness.

Theacademyisacommunitywherepupilswillfindacceptanceforthemselvesasunique individuals.However,pupilswillgainculturalawareness,respectandtoleranceofthoseof otherfaithbackgrounds.Thediversityofspiritualtraditionswillberecognised,andpupils will be given the opportunityexplore alternativeviews.

Pupilswillbeencouragedtoexploreanddeveloptheirownvaluesandbeliefs,spiritual awareness,alongwithhighstandardsofpersonalbehaviour.HatfieldAcademywillplacea strongemphasisonbuildingpositive,caringattitudestowardsotherpeople,an understandingoftheirsocialandculturaltraditionsandanappreciationofthediversityand richnessof othercultures.

Alladultswillmodelandpromoteexpectedbehaviour,treatingallpeopleasuniqueand valuableindividuals andshowingrespectforpupilsandtheirfamilies. The school community willbeaplacewherepupilswilllearntodifferentiatebetweenrightandwronginasfaras theiractionsaffectotherpeople.Pupilsshouldunderstandtheneedforrulesandtheneed toabidebyrulesforthegoodofeveryone.Academyandclassroomrulesshouldreflect, reiterate,promoteandrewardacceptablebehaviourandprovideopportunitiestocelebrate pupils'work andachievements.

The General Aimsof The Academy are to:

•EnsurethatSocial,Moral,SpiritualandCulturalissuesareembedded throughoutthe school curriculumin a consistentway.

•Give each pupila range of opportunitiestoreflectuponanddiscusstheir beliefs, feelings andresponsestopersonalexperiences.

•Enable pupils todevelopanunderstandingof their individual andgroup identity

•Provide pupils theopportunity tobegintodevelopanunderstandingof their socialandcultural environmentandan appreciationof themany culturesthat now enrich our society

•Give each pupiltheopportunity toexplore socialand moralissues, and developa senseofsocial andmoralresponsibility.

  • GiveeachpupiltheopportunitytounderstandandknowtheBritishValuesof:Democracy andtheruleoflaw,Individuallibertyandmutualrespect,toleranceofthoseofdifferent faith andbeliefs.

2.SpiritualDevelopment

Thepotentialforspiritualdevelopmentis opentoeveryoneandneednotbeconfinedtothe developmentofreligiousbeliefsorconversiontoaparticularfaith.Thetermneedstobe seenasapplyingtosomethingfundamentalinthehumanconditionwhichisnotnecessarily experienced throughthe physicalsenses and/orexpressedthrougheverydaylanguage,

Spiritualgrowthis concerned with:

i.assistingpupils todeveloppersonal andshared beliefs;

ii.recognisingthe wondersandmysteriesof thenaturalworldwhichmayleadto questions abouttheexistence ofa divine creator;

iii.recognisinghumanachievementsandexploringthepossibilitythat inner resourcescanhelppeopletodeal witheverydayexperiences;

iv.the search formeaningandpurposeinlife;

v.recognisingandvaluingone's own worth andthatofothers;

vi.creativityandtheexpressionofthoughtsandfeelings throughart,music, literature,humanmovement andcrafts;

vii.exercisingimagination, intuitionandinsight;

viii.appreciatingorbeingmovedbybeautyor kindness;

ix.anawarenessof when it isimportant tocontrolemotions andwhen it is appropriatetoexpressthem;

x.self-knowledge.

TheAcademywillencouragepupilsto:recognisetheexistenceofothersasindependentfrom themselves;reflectonexperiences;questionandexplorethemeaningofexperiences; evaluatearangeofpossibleresponsesandinterpretations;anddevelopandapplypersonal views andinsights.

3.Moral Development

Personalmoralitycombinesthebeliefsandvaluesofindividuals,thoseofthesocial,cultural andreligious groups towhich peoplebelongandthe laws andcustomsofthewider society.

TheAcademywillencouragepupilsto:tellthetruth;keeppromises;respecttherightsand property of others; act considerately towards others; help those less fortunate than

themselves;takeresponsibilityfortheirownactions;andexerciseself-discipline.The Academywill reject: bullying; cheating; deceit;cruelty;irresponsibility;anddishonesty.

Ideally,pupilsshouldunderstandthevalueofrulesandactuponthemoutofconviction, rather thanfromfearof gettingintotrouble.

4.CulturalDevelopment

TheAcademyiscommittedtopreparingpupilstodevelopanempatheticunderstandingof aspectsoftheirownandotherculturalenvironments,bethesereligious,social,aestheticor ethnic.TheAcademyaimstocounteractbiasandappreciate,valueandcelebratethe achievementsof others andtopreparepupils for life ina multiculturalsociety.Itis recognised thatpupilsmustexperienceotherculturesin ordertounderstandthemfully.Wherethelocal cultural environment does not offer a sufficientlybroadexperience,the Academyis committed toprovidingopportunities not onlythroughthecurriculum,but alsothrougheducational visits at homeandabroadandin-schooleventsled bydifferent culturalgroups.

5.Social Development

TheAcademyiscommittedtoworkingwiththehomeandthecommunitytopreparepupils forrelatingtoothersindifferentsocialsettings,takingresponsibility,exercisinginitiative, workingeffectivelyingroupsandparticipatingco-operativelyandproductivelyinthe Academyandthewidercommunity.TheAcademyisfurthercommittedtopromotingan empatheticunderstandingofhowsocietiesfunctionandareorganisedinstructuressuchas the family,the school andlocal andwider communities.

It isthe function of all curriculum areas to contribute to the pupils' social development

supportedbyexperienceinAcademyclubs,societiesandteams,andthrougheducational visitsandin-schoolevents.Pupilswillbeencouragedtousetheirtalentstocompeteinafair andgenerousmanner,appreciatingtheabilityofothers,showingdeterminationandteam spirit.

2.ROLESAND RESPONSIBILITIES

i.ItistheresponsibilityoftheLocalBoardof Governorsto establishapolicyand procedure for spiritual, moral,socialandcultural educationandtomonitortheeffects of theprocedure.

ii.ItistheresponsibilityoftheHeadteachertopromoteanethosandtomake arrangementsforthecurriculumwhichhelpwiththespiritual,moral,socialand cultural developmentofpupils.

iii.It is the responsibilityof allstaff tofamiliarisethemselves,andcomply,withthispolicy andprocedurein accordancewith relevantprofessional standards.

3.IMPLEMENTATION

Topromotethespiritual,moral,socialandculturaldevelopmentofeachmemberofthe Academy community,theAcademywill:

a.Developtheschool environment by:

i.makingthe Academy a place ofwelcomeforallvisitors;

ii.maintainingandimprovinggrounds;

iii.creatingareas andtimesofsilence;

iv.celebratingachievement throughthe displayof work;and

v.ensuringthat playandleisure areasencourage andpromote co-operative behaviour.

b.Provide opportunities forexplicitspiritual development by:

i.usingcollective worshipto highlight the spiritualdimension;

ii.ensuringthat subjectslikeRE, English andArtincludespacefor personal reflection;and

iii.takingopportunities toreflectonevents in allareasofthe curriculum,especially thosewhichmay involve asenseof awe, wonderor mystery in subjectslikeArt, Drama, English, Geography, History,Music,RE, Science andTechnology.

c.Enablethewholecurriculum tobea vehicleforspiritual,moral,social andcultural development by:

i.presentingpositive imagesof regions, countries, faithsandcultures fromaround the worldandchallengingstereotypes;

ii.encouragingpupils tosee apatternandpurposeinlife;

iii.promotingaesthetic awareness;

iv.beingsensitive tothe scope ofhumanachievement;

v.providingopportunities forpupils toengage inactivities ofdiscoveryand explorationandexperienceaweandwonder;

vi.ensuringachievement andeffortarecelebratedand self-esteemenhanced;

vii.assistingpupils in the pursuit oftruthand excellence;

viii.providingopportunities tosearch formeaningand coherenceinexperience;

ix.exploringthe connectionbetweenpersonal philosophy andbehaviour; and

x.continuingtoplanfor andprovidein-Academyeventsandeducational visits whichaffordpupils theopportunityto understandboth theirownandother cultures and societies.

d.Buildstructures that encouragespiritual,moral,social andcultural development by:

i.givingpupils opportunity toexercise responsibility andinitiative;

ii.implementingdisciplinestrategiesthatemphasise andreward positivebehaviour;

iii.ensuringthat sanctionsallowpupils totakeresponsibilityfor their behaviour, while balancingthiswith the needfor forgivenessandreconciliation,ratherthan judgementandrecrimination;

iv.encouragingteamworkandco-operationandemphasisingthat achievement and successshouldnot beattained at the expenseofothers;

v.encouragingcompetitionbased onmutualrespect;

vi.institutingproceduresthatemphasise theequalityanddignity ofeachpersonand combatingintolerantattitudesmanifested inbullying,racism,sexismand violence;and

vii.enablingpupils torecognise the inter-dependenceofhumanbeings through workforcharity andin communityprogrammes.

e.Establishandmaintainanethos toencouragespiritual,moral,social andcultural development by:

i.settinganexampleof justice,fairness, truth andrespectindealings between membersofstaff andbetweenstaffandpupils;

ii.avoidingthe useof language and other modesofexpressionwhichtendto denigrateothers;

iii.encouragingtoleranceanda willingnesstolistentoandvalue differenceof opinion;

iv.valuingcourtesyand considerationforothers;

v.makingavailable facilitiesfor individual support, guidanceandcounsellingwhere needed;

vi.involvingpupils in developingthe Codeof Conduct;and

vii.developingappropriateknowledgeinPSHE education.

SMSC intheCurriculum

All curriculumareas have acontributiontothe pupil'sspiritual, moral,social and cultural developmentandopportunitiesfor thiswill be planned ineachareaof the curriculum. Belowaresome examplesof howSMSC development hasbeen integrated intothe curriculum.

a.English makesamajorcontributiontopupils’ SMSCdevelopment through:

•Developingconfidenceandexpertise inlanguage,whichis animportant aspectof individual andsocialidentity;

•Enablingpupils tounderstandandengage withthe feelings andvalues embodiedin highqualitypoetry, fiction,drama, filmandtelevision;

•Developingpupils’ awareness ofmoralandsocial issuesinfiction, journalism, magazines,radio,televisionandfilm;

•Helpingpupils tounderstandhowlanguagechangesovertime, the influences

onspokenandwritten language andsocial attitudestotheuseof language;

•Throughwrittenanddiscussionworkonpointsofview andargumentspupils will reflectona numberofsocialandmoralissues.

•Studyingliterature andart fromdifferentculturessupported byvisitsfrom writersandartists and participatingin workshops.

b.Mathematics canprovide acontributiontopupils’ SMSC by:

•Supportingwhole schoolpolicyonissuessuchas discipline andbehaviour.

•Enablingpupils toacknowledge the importantcontribution made to mathematics bynon-westerncultures.

c.Science providesopportunitiesfor pupils’ SMSC development through examples suchas:

•Encouragingpupils toreflectonthe wonderof the natural world;

•Awarenessof the waysthat science andtechnologycanaffect society and the environment.

•Considerationofthe moral dilemmasthatcanresultin scientific developments.

•Showingrespectfordifferingopinions,oncreationfor example.

•Co-operationin practicalactivity.

•Raisingawarenessthat scientific developments are the productofmany differentcultures.

d.ICT can contribute toSMSCdevelopment by:

•Makingclearthe guidelinesabout theethicaluseofthe internet andother formsof communications technology.

•Establishingboundariesin societybyconsideringwhat is acceptable.

•Raisingpupils’ awarenessthroughthe useof ICTwitha focus oncharities andtravel.

e.Historymakesa contributiontoSMSCby:

•Lookingat the establishment ofmulti-cultural Britain.

•Enablingpupils toreflectonethical issuessuchasslavery, theholocaustand Imperialism.

•Showingan awarenessofthemoralimplicationsofthe actionsof historical figures.

f.DesignTechnologymakesa particular contributiontoSMSC through:

•Reflectingoningeniousproducts andinventions,thediversityofmaterials andwaysin which designtechnology canimprove thequalityof life.

•Awarenessofthe moraldilemmascreated bytechnologicaladvances.

•Howdifferent cultureshave contributed totechnology.

•Developingpupils’ skillstobeable towork asa team, recognisingothers’ strengths, sharingequipment.

•Providingpupils withtheopportunity tomake andevaluatefoodfromother

countries.

g.Geography contributestoSMSC where:

•Opportunities for reflectiononthecreation,earth’sorigins, futureanddiversity are given.

•Reflectiononthe fairdistributionoftheearth’sresources.

•Studiesof peopleandplaces give pupils thechance toreflectonthe social andculturalcharacteristicsof society.

h.MFL contributestoSMSC through:

•Pupils may gaininsightsintothe wayof life, culturaltraditions,moraland socialdevelopmentsofother people in lessontime.

•Pupil’ssocialskillsare developed throughgroupactivitiesandcommunication

exercises.

•Listeningskills are improved throughoral/auralwork.

i.Religious Educationmakesa distinctive andsubstantial contributiontothe deliveryof SMSCthrough:

•Assessingwhat itmeanstobespiritual/human.

•Exploringspirituality.

•Expressingspirituality.

•Experientiallearningfor spiritualgrowth anddevelopment.

•Developingan appreciationandunderstandingof different cultures, religions andtraditions.

•Reflectingonthesignificance ofreligious beliefsandteachingsintheirownlives.

•Learningabout beliefs,values,andtheconceptof spirituality.

•Developingrespectandtoleranceof other religiousbeliefs andpractices.

•Showinganunderstandingof the influenceofreligiononsociety.

•Appreciationandunderstandingof differentcultures, religionsandtraditions.

•Increasingtolerancethroughthe awarenessandimportanceofcommunity cohesion.

j.Artmaycontribute toSMSC by:

●Givingpupils thechancetoreflectonnature,theirenvironmentand

●surroundings.

●Studyingartwith a spiritual oridealisttheme.

●Creatingpiecesof artbasedonethical/moralconcerns raised byartistsi.e.

●War/racism/violence.

●Givingpupils theopportunitytoinvestigate arangeofculturesandmedia.

●Consideringtheimpactofartonsociety.

k.PhysicalEducation –Pupils’SMSC development isactivelypromoted thoughPEby:

●Exploringthesportsandtraditionsof avarietyofcultures.

●Individual activitiesthat providetheopportunityforself-reflection,awareness

●andchallenge.

●Activitiesinvolvingco-operation,teamwork, competition, rules,self-discipline

●andfair play.

●Havinglinks with other primary andsecondaryschools inownlocality andbeyond.

●ContributiontoNational programmesandinitiative wheresport isthe unifyingbond

e.g. Comic Relief, YoungSportsCoach programmeetc.

1.Assessment

Itisnotpossible,nornecessarilydesirable,toassessquantitativelytheextenttowhich pupilshaveabsorbedtheseaspectsofeducation,thoughresultantchangesinbehaviormaybeobserved.Itismoreappropriatetousetheword“development"whenconsidering theoutcomesofspiritual,moral,socialandculturaleducationthoughthisdevelopmentwill not necessarilyoccur inalinear fashion.

2.Evaluation

TheOfstedEvaluationScheduleforSchoolsprovidesevaluationcriteriawhichcanbeusefully appliedtotheAcademy.ItisaresponsibilityoftheAcademyandSeniorLeadershipTeamto ensurethatcurriculumtimeshaveschemesofworkwhich,wherepossible,makespecific referencetothespiritual,moral,socialandculturaldimensions.ThePhaseLeadersshould ensure thatsuch plans are implemented.

4.Links with the widercommunity

Inordertodeveloppupils SMSC we believe thatitisimportant tohaveclose links

withthelocalandglobalcommunities.Weplayanimportantroleinpromotingsharedvalues andencouragingour pupils toactively engagewithother people inthe

communitytounderstandwhattheyhaveincommon.Inordertohelpallourpupilsgrowin SMSCandbuildcloserelationships withthecommunity we:

●Welcome allvisitors intothe Academy.

●Provide a Communitywhichis centralforcommunitydevelopment.

●Visit differentcultures.

●Houseandprovide anExtended Schools programmeboth inandoutof termtime.

●Support the workof avarietyof charitiessuchas Comic Relief, BritishRedCross,Breast CancerCare Trust andFairTrade.

●Encouragethe development of astronghome-schoolrelationshipwhichisregardedasveryimportant,enablingparentsandteacherstoworkinaneffective partnershiptosupportpupils.

●Teach pupilstoappreciateandtakeresponsibilityfor their local environment,and createopportunitiestobeinvolvedineventsandactivitiesinourlocality

●Liaisewithour professionalpartnersfor the benefitofour families andyoungpeople.

●Hostcommunityeventse.g. Opportunities Fayre,Summerschools,Leisure events.

●Makevaluablecontributions tostrategic partnerships andforums.

●Liaisewith local secondaryschoolsororganisationswith regards tothe curriculume.g. modern foreignlanguages,Art, PEandgames, Science and Technology

5.MONITORINGAND REVIEW

The DeputyHeadteacherwill reportonthe PolicytotheHeadteacher as appropriate.

TheHeadteacherwillreporttotheLocalBoardofGovernors’AchievementandStandards Committeeonany relevantaspectsofthe working of the Policyas appropriate.

The LocalBoardofGovernorswill reviewthePolicy every threeyears.