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SMSC Statement

Introduction

SMSC is a broad concept, representing the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education of pupils across all aspects of school life.  It is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum.

At Mapledown, SMSC is at the heart of school life, embedded through the curriculum, extra-curricular learning, assemblies and our interactions with each other during the school day.  SMSC plays a significant part in pupils’ happiness, learning and achievement.  At Mapledown, we pride ourselves in providing a school environment that celebrates our entire community and recognises our differences in a positive way.

Spiritual Development

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AT MAPLEDOWN SCHOOL
  • giving pupils the opportunity to explore values and beliefs, including religious beliefs, and how they impact on peoples’ lives;

  • giving pupils the opportunity to understand human feelings and emotions, how they impact on people and how an understanding of them can be helpful;

  • developing an ethos within which everyone can grow and flourish, respect others and be respected;

  • accommodating difference and respecting the integrity of individuals;

  • encouraging a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them;

  • use of imagination and creativity in their learning.

Moral Development

MORAL DEVELOPMENT AT MAPLEDOWN SCHOOL
  • enabling pupils to recognise the difference between right and wrong, using this as a basis for positive behaviour which is promoted consistently through all aspects of the school;

  • helping pupils to understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions;

  • developing an open and safe learning environment in which children can express their views and practise moral decision-making;

  • promoting positive behaviour, values and expectations;

  • modelling, through the quality of relationships and interactions, fairness, integrity, respect for others and resolution of conflict.

Social Development

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AT MAPLEDOWN SCHOOL
  • engaging with the 'British values' of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect and tolerance

  • using of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example co-operating, working and socialising with other pupils

  • fostering a sense of community, with common, inclusive values;

  • providing positive collective experiences – for example, through assemblies, team activities, school trips, whole school events and competitions;

  • helping pupils to develop personal qualities which are valued in society, for example, thoughtfulness, honesty, respect for difference, moral principles, independence, inter-dependence and self-respect;

  • providing opportunities for engaging in the democratic process and participating in community life e.g. school council;

  • helping others through volunteering and raising money for charity;

  • providing positive and effective links with the world of work and the wider community.

cultural Development

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AT MAPLEDOWN SCHOOL
  • appreciating and exploring the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped our own heritage and that of others

  • valuing the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic communities;

  • promoting racial, religious and other forms of equality;

  • recognising and celebrating the different cultures represented in the school and wider community;

  • willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities.

Examples of SMSC at Mapledown School

Spiritual Social
  • Our wider community:

  • Singing carols at our local Tesco’s

  • Taking part in events with our local mainstream schools, including performing (Copthall and Whitefield secondary schools)

  • Visit to local community facilities

  • Collective assemblies and curriculum topics (Remembrance, Harvest, etc)

  • Daily acts of collective worship in class

  • Appreciation of our natural world

  • Making bird feeders and watching birds

  • Gardening projects throughout the school

  • Appreciation of the changing seasons

  • Learning about key environmental issues (pollution, global warming)

  • Caring for the individual

  • Treating everyone with respect

  • Facilitating choices and independence

  • Celebration of birthday within class and during assemblies

  • School trips

  • Gallery and museum visits

  • Trips to Woburn safari park, Aldenham country park, and Paradise Wildlife

  • Extra curricular activities

  • Discos

  • Lunchtime clubs

  • Engaging with the community

  • Weekly visits to leisure centres and swimming pools

  • Using community facilities (shops and cafes)

  • Links with Related Argent community (facilities and events)

  • Working together

  • Learning to work in groups across zones and beyond

  • Playing and having fun

  • School council

  • Developing independence

  • Parents within the school

Moral Cultural
  • Fundraising

  • FOM (Friends of Mapledown) subsidise enterprise events led by pupils for the summer fair

  • Fundraising for charity

  • Respecting each other

  • Morning greetings and circle time

  • Celebrating multi modal communication/AAC strategies used across the school

  • Class rules

  • Individualised positive behaviour plans

  • Co-operative play/recreational lea

  • Personalised strategies

  • Helping in class

  • Visits from local professionals

  • PSHE and RE curriculum lessons

  • Celebrating national and international events

  • World cups

  • Olympics

  • Celebrations such as Christmas, Chinese new year, etc.

  • School cultural events

  • World book day/week

  • Sports day

  • School displays

  • Visiting musician and theatre groups

  • School and classes cultural celebrations

  • Literacy - multi cultural stories and books

  • Humanities curriculum

  • Celebrations of all similarities and differences

  • Study of different cultures within our school and within the UK