Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development

SMSC is the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of all children at our school. It is embedded throughout our school ethos and climate, extending beyond academia to provide the broader development of our pupils. We want our children at St Botolph’s to not only be successful, confident learners but also responsible, active citizens, and as such we prioritise the personal development and well-being of every child. SMSC enables us to support our learner’s personal development, help shape their character and is crucial to their development as an individual. It is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses our whole curriculum and the wider life of the school, ensuring the development of the whole child. 

Co-ordinator: Mrs M Wright

Governor: Mrs K West

British Values

British Values is a government initiative to teach students the values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance to ensure our pupils are prepared for life in Modern Britain. The values underpin what it is to be a British citizen in a modern and diverse Britain and promote moral and cultural understanding to celebrate the diversity of the UK. Our school climate promotes and celebrates British Values at every level and ensures that, when our pupils leave St Botolph’s, they are prepared for life in Modern Britain. 

Democracy:

Democracy is very important within our school and so we ensure that all pupils, parents and staff have their voices heard. We also enjoy learning about the democracy within our country, particularly as our school is used as a local polling station. Our School council representatives campaign each year to be elected for their positions and have a strong influence on school life at St Botolph's.
 

The Rule of Law:

The importance of laws and rules, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently referred to and reinforced throughout the school day. This teaches our pupils to distinguish between right and wrong and to also take responsibility for their own actions. Pupils are also taught the value and reasons behind laws, to govern and protect us, as well as learning about the consequences of when laws are broken. 

Individual Liberty:

As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely. Whether it be through choice of challenge, of how they record in Maths, of participation in our numerous extra-curricular clubs and opportunities, pupils are given the freedom to make choices in our school and are supported to become as independent as possible.
 

Mutual Respect and Tolerance:

Our pupils are taught to show empathy and understanding to all others, regardless of their background or differences. This is bound within our school ethos and is modelled by all adults in the school on a daily basis. Tolerance of others is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. As such, all our pupils learn about different cultures and beliefs to allow them to understand and respect values that differ from their own.

Co-ordinator: Miss Z Whetton/Mrs M Wright
Governor: Mrs West

Evidence of SMSC and British values

To find our how we develop SMSC and British values, please open the evidence grid below. This highlights how SMSC and British values are embedded in our curriculum, school ethos, school environment and beyond!

We discuss the 9 protected characteristics in school with the children.