What is SMSC?
SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
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’ and democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance. Follow the link, below, to see how we try to prepare our children for life in modern Britain:
Cultural
Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
SMSC at St Michael in the Hamlet
At St. Michael-in-the-Hamlet School, we strive to create a learning environment which promotes respect, diversity and self-awareness and tries to equip all of our pupils with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they will need to flouish in their lives, both today and in the future. Our pupils learn about children’s rights and try to put them into practice, every day. As part of this we aim to support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in order to help them to be thoughtful, caring and active citizens both in school, at home and in the wider society.
Click on the following link to access home learning tasks: SMSC HOME LEARNING PACK
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
Black History Month Background
Black History Month has been marked in the UK for more than 30 years. It takes place during the month of October. It is held to highlight and celebrate the achievements and contributions of the black community in the UK. Throughout history, black people have made huge contributions to society in the fields of art, music, science, literature and many more areas.
Campaign groups and charities like The Black Curriculum and Fill in the Blanks have also spoken out on the importance of black history being taught in schools. These campaigners believe all children and young people need to learn about the important roles black people have played throughout British history and the many contributions they have made to society today.
Black History Month 2022 at St Michael in the Hamlet – Achieving–Contributing -Inspiring/Impacting
Black history is being made every day, in all kinds of ways. Traditionally Black History Month in October has quite rightly celebrated key figures in black history. This year we thought it would be interesting to study current black role models; recognising their achievements and contributions and learning their stories and experiences, how they inspire and the impact that they having. So this BHM we will be shining a spotlight on black history in the making.
Each year group has been given current black role models to focus on – Watch this space for some inspiring work!
Any parents/carers of younger children looking for somewhere to start conversations during BHM this is a lovely place to start. Jo Jo and Gran Gran go to an exhibition to learn about Gran Gran’s Journey to England. Gran Gran thinks she only has her coat from that time but realises she has more mementos too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWBrAtkfyfM
Remembrance Day 2022
EYFS watched the ‘Poppies’ Animation.
‘Poppies’ is a short hand-drawn animation which was broadcasted on CBBC and CBeebies, to mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. The animation was the stimulus for their poppy art work.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/poppies
British Values
At St Michaels in the Hamlet Primary School we believe in a learning culture where everyone is Safe, Motivated, Included, Work as a Team and are Happy, whilst participating in all aspects of school life.
All schools are required by law to promote the fundamental British values of:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
At St Michaels in the Hamlet these values are reinforced regularly.
Protected characteristics are characteristics that are protected by a law called the Equality Act.
The Equality Act came into force in 2021 to protect everyone from discrimination and to help society to be equal and fair for all.
The Equality Act says that people must not be discriminated against or treated unfairly because they have these characteristics.