At South Lake Primary School, the children and their learning are at the heart of every decision made. We will teach the children to be responsible, respectful and ready. Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum. 

What does SMSC look like at South Lake?

South Lake Primary School is a vibrant, busy learning community with high expectations and a nurturing ethos. SMSC stands for Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development. We believe that children taught to be spiritually, morally, culturally and socially aware will make the best citizens.

Spiritual Development at South Lake

The spiritual development of pupils is shown by their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
• knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values
• sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
• use of imagination and creativity in their learning
• willingness to reflect on their experiences

We encourage the children’s Spiritual development through:

• 3R’s embedded in school life 
• School leaders being part of Racial Equity forum with local authority
• A diverse curriculum
• Discussion world views within R.E
• Year 6 team building during their residential trip
• Participating with other children from local schools – Woodley Sports Week, Woodley memorial service, school challenges – Gardening and Coding
• Member of the community visiting and sharing their experiences of religious festivals
• Forest school
• R.E inspired visits
• Extra-curricular clubs
• Arts project with Year 3 working with an arts charity called ‘Jelly’

Moral Development at South Lake

The moral development of pupils is shown by their:

• ability to 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
• understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
• 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.

We encourage the children’s Moral development through:

• 3R’s embedded in school life
• Discussion guidelines in Oracy
• Black History Month 2022 and Anti-bullying week, celebrated each year through the curriculum and assemblies
• The Oracy curriculum
• The PSHE curriculum
• Supporting Charities: school council decide
• Mental health workshops for parents
• Online safety focus throughout the year including Internet safety week, computing and PSHE curriculum
• Active movement project
• Careers fair

 

Social Development at South Lake

The social development of pupils is shown by their:

• use of 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
• willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
• 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.

We encourage the children’s Social development through:

• Participating with other children from local schools – Woodley Sports Week, Woodley memorial service, Sports competitions and tournaments, school challenges – Gardening and Coding
• PSHE curriculum, where acceptance and tolerance are taught throughout the school from exploring differing families in EYFS and KS1 to learning about the Equalities Act in KS2. 
• School trips to enrich the curriculum and build cultural capital, such as visiting Windsor Castle and theatre trips. 
• Student leadership; school council, hall monitors, office helpers, Year 6 and reception buddies.
• In school performances; choir, Christmas productions  
• UK Parliament Week and school council elections
• Celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth with Jubilee celebrations and mourning her passing.
• Remembrance day
• Extra-curricular clubs

     

Cultural Development at South Lake

The cultural development of pupils is shown by their:

• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
• understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across
  cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
• knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
• willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
• interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept and respect diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities

We encourage the children’s Cultural development through:

• Taking part in UK Parliament Week and school council elections
• Celebrating a range of religious festivals – in class and assemblies
• Black History Month
• Celebrating the live of Queen Elizabeth, jubilee celebrations and mourning her passing.
• Choir performing at the Hexagon
• Online author events during Wokingham Book Festival
• Summer Reading challenge – Wokingham Libraries
• Learning French in KS2
• Specialist music lessons
• School trips to enrich the curriculum and build cultural capital, such as visiting Windsor Castle and theatre trips. 
• Extra-curricular clubs