At Grow Independent Special School, the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our students is at the heart of everything we do. We ensure that they are prepared for life in modern Britain, fostering a meaningful understanding of their world and our curriculum helps them to develop an informed and balanced view on world events, beliefs, and values of others. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides our students with opportunities to explore and develop their own values, whilst recognising that those of others may differ. Beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour that include a caring attitude to others, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures are all critical, and we aim to nurture and develop these through our subject lessons and wider curriculum.

 

Each of the SMSC strands are integral to the development of understanding of and affinity with British values and the national identity that are a crucial part of our cultural heritage:

 

• Democracy

• The rule of law

• Individual liberty

• Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

 

In lessons students have opportunities to explore the British values along with their own values and the values of others. We actively promote through our weekly preparation for adulthood, PHSE and Citizenship curriculum and ASDAN programmes, the role of democracy and the importance of active citizenship. We also have a ‘Pupil Parliament’ which is designed to ensure students have their say about how our school is run and how we work together, it also supports their understanding of being part of a democratic society as it is modelled on our own UK parliamentary system. 

 

We promote SMSC in the following ways:

 

Spiritual

This relates to the quest for individual identity and the search for meaning and purpose in our existence. It leads towards the understanding of self and others. It has to do with feelings, emotions, attitudes, and beliefs. This may be done through:

Exploring different beliefs & faiths.

Encouraging a feeling of awe and wonder at the world.

Allowing time for personal reflection.

 

Moral

Students are given the opportunity to develop a strong understanding of what is right and wrong. From this basis students may develop the ability to make judgements and to become increasingly responsible for their own actions or and behaviour.  This may be done through:

Asking and answering moral questions.

Exploring moral dilemmas

Engaging in charitable activities

 

Social

Students are encouraged to become active members of the Grow family, participating fully in the life of our school and the local community. This may be done through:

Collaborative learning.

Raising awareness of social media and how to use it appropriately.

Working with the local community in charitable events.

 

Cultural

Students are supported in the development their of personal identity, whilst at the same time acquiring awareness, understanding and tolerance regarding the cultural traditions and beliefs of others.  This may be done through:

Exploring the religion, artefacts, and music from other cultures.

Taking an active role in sporting activities.

Becoming involved in the ‘Building Bridges’ group which builds links with other schools.

 

There is more detail on this in the policy below, and if you have any questions about SMSC in school then please contact our curriculum lead Sarah Hawthorne at office@growschool.co.uk

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Click to link to SMSC policy

Click here to see how SMSC is linked into our curriculum