Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural Education
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) education are not stand-alone ideas but ones which are embedded into the Ursuline College curriculum and across every part of school including the House system, subject lessons and extra-curricular activities. The programme of study is not only delivered through PSHE and Ursuline staff but by a range of external speakers whereby aspects of SMSC, health and wellbeing and wider relationships in the modern world are explored. Alongside our curriculum, assemblies and form time activities promote aspects of British Values and SMSC topics e.g. Anti-bullying week, Black History Month.
SMSC
Spiritual: Spiritual development includes the ability and willingness to be effective about our own beliefs (religious or otherwise), perspective on life and life experiences. It is also having a knowledge of, and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values; A sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them; using imagination and creativity in learning. Examples of how we promote this at Ursuline includes;
- Reflecting on beliefs in RE, PSHE and subject lessons
- On site and offsite spiritual retreats.
- Getting a sense of fascination about the world through Science, History and Geography
- Using creative thinking and imagination in English, Music and Art
- Reflecting on their experiences in Form time, PSHE and assemblies
Moral – moral development includes the ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, to readily apply this in own lives and respect legal UK boundaries; Understanding the consequences of their behaviour and actions; investigating and offering reasoned views about moral/ethical issues whilst understanding and appreciating the viewpoints of others. Examples of how we promote this at Ursuline includes;
- Legal boundaries UK online – Computing
- Investigating the law in Business and PSHE
- Understanding consequences of actions in History and Health and Social
- Giving views on ethical issues in Psychology and Criminology
Social – to develop socially students use a range of social skills in different contexts, eg working and socialising with other students including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds; Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of communities and social settings; acceptance and engagement with British Values. Examples of how we promote this at Ursuline includes;
- Working together in PE, Dance and Media Studies
- Volunteering to help through Serviam
- Local, national and international school trips
- Protected Characteristics and British Values in PSHE
- Supporting others by being a member of the Youth SVP.
Cultural – understanding and appreciating the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others, both in school and in wider society recognising the things we share in common; Knowledge of Britain’s democratic Parliamentary system and its central role in shaping Britains History and values, an in continuing to develop Britian; Being willing to participate, and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities; Celebrating different faiths and cultural diversity, whether local, national or global communities. Examples of how we promote this at Ursuline includes;
- Valuing cultural influences in Art and Technology
- Understanding cultures through learning a modern foreign language
- Responding to different musical influences in Music
- Understanding different faith communities in RE
These are just some examples of how every student is given the opportunities to explore SMSC – however these opportunities are vast and are not limited to the classroom.
Other examples of some of our educational experiences beyond the curriculum:
KS3 Pantomime Trip – Visit to theatre to see live performances
Turing Scheme – Overseas residential work experience experiences for KS5 students
Food Tech – catering for Prize Giving and other events
Fund raising – supporting the needs of others in our community as well as for our school.
Pensioners Party – annual event where KS5 students raise money and organise an afternoon for local pensioners
Exchange Programmes - Between French and German schools
Trips - Visits to German Christmas Markets
Careers - Careers fairs and visits to universities
British Values
Explicit coverage in PSHE sessions teach the fundamental values, with students as active learners which is part of a spiral curriculum.
Democracy – School Council/Prefects both in the lower school and upper school. In PSHE, when applicable students are introduced to the voting system e.g. General Elections
Rule of Law – Ursuline College tries to ensure that students know the difference between right and wrong, understanding that actions have consequences so that the respect the rule of law. This applies to themselves (e.g. Conduct Card) as well as the wider world (e.g. Drugs - British laws)
Mutual Respect – Community is at the heart of Ursuline College and students foster excellent relationships based on respect and trust. This is embedded in all school life, including the Ursuline Prayer that students say at the end of every day “ Let us be bound to one another by the bond of love, respecting each other, helping each other and bearing with each other”. Through our curriculum and pastoral support systems everyone in our school community is able to learn and thrive. Courtesy and consideration is expected so that each student is ready for the world of work and life beyond the school gates.
Tolerances of those with different faiths and beliefs – Equipping students with the ability to develop positive values and to understand that their own beliefs and their place in a culturally diverse society.
Individual Liberty – Ursuline College recognises that students are different in many ways, however students are all “of equal importance” in our community: our belief is that every person in school is equally valued, has valid contributions to make and has a part to playh in the school and wider community’s success.
