SMSC

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across our whole school curriculum. At Oyster Park Primary Academy, we recognise that SMSC development is central to the education of all pupils and permeates the whole curriculum and ethos of the school.

Our approach to SMSC helps to develop a well-rounded, holistic and meaningful curriculum for all of our children. This is reflected in the behaviours of individuals and in their interactions and also the provision of teaching, resources and learning environments. Through SMSC we aim to help children understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackle many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. It is our hope that children are provided with opportunities to discuss their wellbeing and how they may be feeling, whilst providing strategies to cope with different aspects of mental health and wellbeing. We provide our children with opportunities to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. It is our hope that SMSC provides children with integral life skills and experiences that they will need in life. It is our hope that the SMSC curriculum can develop to support our children to strive in our ever-changing world.

In SMSC, we cultivate a reading culture by exposing children to a variety of genres through carefully planned activities. Children will be exploring different fiction and non-fiction texts within Social Skills lessons and story time sessions. They will consider the moral of the story and reflect on how we should follow these key messages. Across school children learn about respecting others through stories from different cultures and faiths.

Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language. In SMSC, Oracy is a powerful tool for learning. By teaching our pupils to become more effective speakers and listeners we aim to empower them to have a better understanding of themselves, each other and how the past has influenced the world around them today.

At Oyster Park Primary Academy, we are aware that a child’s personal developments not directly related to their writing or Mathematic ability. All children are given the opportunity to develop socially, morally, spiritually and culturally with support appropriate to their SEN learning barriers. Children are encouraged and supported to ask their own questions as well as complete teacher led enquiries.