Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)

At St. John's C. of E. Primary School, Hindley Green, we believe Personal Development is an essential part of every child's education. Alongside academic achievement, we want our children to develop the knowledge, skills, values and confidence they need to thrive, belong and make a positive contribution to the world around them.

SMSC – Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development – is embedded throughout our curriculum and wider school life. It is developed through our Personal Development programme, PSHE and RSHE, Religious Education, assemblies, pupil leadership, enrichment, careers and employer engagement, charity and community work, educational visits and extra-curricular opportunities.

Through SMSC, we encourage our children to:

• reflect on their own beliefs, values, feelings and experiences;
• develop curiosity, creativity and a sense of awe and wonder;
• understand right from wrong and recognise the impact of their choices;
• develop empathy, compassion, resilience and respect for others;
• build positive relationships and work cooperatively with others;
• understand and engage with democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance;
• appreciate and celebrate the diverse cultures, faiths and traditions within our local, national and global communities;
• recognise what we share in common while respecting our differences; and
• participate positively in artistic, musical, sporting, cultural, charitable and community experiences.

Spiritual Development

Children are encouraged to reflect on their beliefs and experiences, develop curiosity about themselves and the world around them, appreciate different faiths and values, and use imagination and creativity in their learning.

Moral Development

Children develop an understanding of right and wrong, the consequences of their actions, and how to consider and respectfully discuss different moral and ethical viewpoints.

Social Development

Children develop positive relationships, teamwork and communication skills, learn to resolve conflict and participate positively in their school and wider community. They also develop an understanding of the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

Cultural Development

Children develop an appreciation of their own heritage and the diverse cultures, faiths and traditions of others. They have opportunities to experience and participate in a wide range of artistic, musical, sporting and cultural experiences and learn to value diversity.

Our Commitment

At St. John's C. of E. Primary School, Hindley Green, we want every child to thrive and belong.

SMSC contributes to our wider Personal Development offer by giving children the knowledge, experiences and opportunities they need to understand themselves, appreciate others and develop a positive sense of their place in the world.

We are committed to providing a rich and meaningful education that develops not only what children know, but also who they are, how they treat others and how they contribute to the world around them.

Our SMSC overview can be found in the document below.