What is SMSC?

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must show how well their pupils develop in SMSC.

​Spiritual
Explore beliefs and experience; respect faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.
 
Moral
Recognise right and wrong; respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.
 
Social
Use a range of social skills; participate in the local community; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict; engage with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance.
 
Cultural
Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain's parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
At IVJS, we are committed to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the children. We aim to prepare them to take a full role in society as confident individuals and good citizens.
This is modelled at all levels of the school community through mutual respect and an appreciation of diversity. Relevant issues are explored through the curriculum, both in planned ways and through incidental opportunities. The principles of SMSC run through all aspects of school life, including casual interactions, and through many areas of practice, including having a wide-ranging and exciting curriculum which inspires children to find out more about the world in all its variety. Teaching methodologies that give value to peer discussion and collaborative working practices encapsulate in daily planning the skills that pupils will need to be successful and productive in the wider society.

Assemblies
We have daily assemblies in our school. We have an assembly on Mondays lead by either the head teacher, the lower school lead on Tuesdays, singing assembly on Wednesdays and class assemblies on Thursdays. Then Fridays are used for whole school assembly and this is a time that we use to share in the celebration of different pupils' achievement. Classes and individual pupils are recognised and rewarded for a variety of different aspects of our school life. For example, classes win biscuits for the highest attendance and classes win the shield for their dedication and focus that week.

Assembly Themes 2023-2024

​SMSC Statement	​Examples of activities/strands of school life
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	RE Curriculum Work on news and current affairs (First News) Assemblies P4C Visitors
Have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them (Diversity)	School community events British Values Morning Visits / Visitors Use of the environment as a stimulus for learning
Use imagination and creativity in their learning	Art, Computer, Lego, Film clubs (these vary termly) Curriculum links Sports competitions Enterprise Year 6 Wildlife Garden Poly Tunnel
Willingness to reflect on their experiences	P4C Learning Pits/Growth Mindset
​ Recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England	​Behaviour policy and practice ELSA (Emotional Literacy) Play Therapy Fire Service talks Heathrow Lorries awareness Visits from Police Strong links with the community police
​ Understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions	Behaviour policy and practice ELSA P4c PSHE lessons
Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues	P4c PSHE curriculum Curriculum topics address a wide variety of ethical and moral issues
Use a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds	Sporting Competitions School Choir Residentials Welcoming visitors during events Music events (Echoes/Young Voices)
Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively	Charity events and fundraising organised by the school Visits from charitable organisations Buddy bench / peer mediators School prefects Strong and respectful relationships School Choir
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; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain	Democracy in action through School Council Rights Respecting School Mock elections/discussions Fundraising initiatives driven by pupils eSafety work to protect from websites, gaming and challenges of social media Off curricular days such as British Values, Languages Day Visitors such as a Lawyer or Show Racism the Red Card, Equaliteach
Understand and appreciate the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others	History topics Wow days Assemblies
Understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain	​RE Curriculum Celebration/acknowledgement of different festivals Assemblies British Values Morning
​Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain	School council elections​ Assemblies Visitors
Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities	Wide range of clubs and curricular provision Music Curriculum Choir Music clubs Range of sporting activities