Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development is crucial for individual children, staff and for society and it is our aim to create good local, national and global citizens, who develop good character, resilience and grit.
For our pupils, we will provide and maintain opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour. They will also be guided to develop a positive, caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures. The promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is not only promoted throughout the curriculum subjects but also through our day-to-day school routines, assemblies, extra-curricular activities, our Knypersley Principle and school rules, positive behaviour, attitudes and values.
The spiritual development of our pupils will be demonstrated through; their ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise. This will inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s feelings, values and faiths. Their sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them. Including the intangible use of imagination and creativity in their learning and their willingness to reflect regularly on their own experiences. We aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable pupils to:
- sustain their self-esteem in their learning experiences;
- develop their capacity for critical and independent thought;
- experience moments of stillness and reflection;
- discuss their beliefs, feelings, values and responses to personal experiences;
- form and maintain worthwhile satisfying relationships;
- reflect on, consider and celebrate the wonders and mysteries of life
The moral development of our pupils will be demonstrated through; their ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, and develop their readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives. Alongside, developing an understanding of the consequences of their behaviour. Demonstrating an interest in investigating, and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues; through the ability to accept, respect and appreciate others opinions and viewpoints.
The social development of our pupils will be demonstrated through; their use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. A willingness to participate in a variety of social settings, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively. Gain an interest in, and understanding of, the way communities and societies function. A clear acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, respect and tolerance of those with differing faiths and beliefs.
The cultural development of our children will be demonstrated through; their understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others. A willingness to participate in, and respond to, for example, artistic, musical, sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities. Their understanding and appreciation of the wide range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain. Their interest in exploring, understanding of, and respect for cultural diversity. The extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.
At Knypersley First School, we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
These values were first set out by the government in the ‘Prevent’ strategy in 2011.
| Democracy | Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems. |
| Individual Liberty | The free exercise of rights generally seen as outside Government control. |
| The Rule of Law | All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. |
| Mutual Respect and Tolerance of others | The regard for an individual’s dignity. Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith. |
We ensure that the fundamental British values are promoted through our school vision statement, our development of SMSC, our PSHRE whole-school approach and through everyday aspects of school life. We have an overview of SMSC and how this will be taught throughout our school and topics.