SNHS recognises that the spiritual, moral, social and cultural element of students’ education is crucial to their development as an individual, allowing them to take their rightful place in the community as local, national and global citizens. SMSC is about the values students are encouraged to hold, their attitude towards learning, knowledge and society. SMSC is fundamental in preparing students for society and at our School, they are helped to develop positive attitudes and beliefs by being given opportunities to:

• Develop spiritual values and reasoned personal and moral values
• Consider the diverse nature of society, developing their understanding and respect for those with different religions, beliefs and ways of life
• Value everyone equally
• Develop personal relationships, based on trust, self-esteem and mutual respect
• Become active, responsible citizens in a democratic society
• Develop an appreciation of human achievements and aspirations
• Develop an understanding of the world in which they live and the interdependence of individuals, groups, nations and the environment

At our school, SMSC permeates the work that we do. Through SMSC, we seek to develop attitudes and values that will enable students to become responsible and caring members of society. We provide students with the opportunity for spiritual reflection and encourage them to explore the fundamental questions of life, including their own personal existence, journey and purpose. We provide students with a curriculum that enables them to develop a knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures, particularly those within their own society. We seek to foster an attitude of tolerance and value towards those from a culture and background different from their own. They are encouraged to develop capacity to tackle moral and spiritual dilemmas and to try to reach independent judgements, which reflect universal human principles. Our students will develop questioning, enquiring minds and learn how to express their ideas appropriately.

As a school we take pride in our collective responsibilities towards SMSC and we:

• Ensure that all staff are aware of their role in developing students’ interpersonal skills, self-esteem and in preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
• Celebrate student achievement, foster a sense of community and involve students as active participants as much as possible. This is demonstrated through a wide range of events such as our annual Presentation Evening. There are also termly Rewards Assemblies. Our rewards system, also encourages a culture of success and achievement for all, with the option for students to donate reward points to charity. Students are also encouraged to contribute to the School by developing their leadership roles as Prefects, Mentors, Sports Captains and democratically elected School Council Representatives.
• Ensure students have information about all extra-curricular and enrichment activities.
• Ensure that our PME lessons and Keeping Safe sessions provide opportunities for discussion and that there are opportunities for reflection in assemblies.

Spiritual development is concerned with how a student develops:

• Personal values and beliefs
• A willingness to reflect
• An ability to communicate these beliefs in discussion and through their behaviour
• An understanding of the value and role of faith and religion in societies
• Tolerance of other people

It includes imagination, inspiration and creativity, as well as an awareness of self-identify and self-worth.

We promote spiritual development as part of a student’s personal development including through:

• Behaviour system – a set of rules students are expected to follow
• Rewards
• PME lessons
• Keeping Safe
• Assemblies

Moral development is concerned with students’ knowledge, understanding, intentions, attitudes and behaviour in relation to right and wrong within the accepted codes of society. Their knowledge and awareness of values and attitudes of individuals and society as a whole and socially acceptable codes of behaviour is important. The quality of relationships that students experience, the standards of behaviour in our School as well as the values promoted by our School’s code of conduct form a basis of any judgment on moral development as well as the extent to which students show:

• An understanding of the difference between right and wrong
• Respect for people, truth and property
• A concern for how their actions may affect others
• The ability to make responsible judgements on moral issues
• Personal conduct that they take responsibility for their own actions
• Personal behaviour through principles rather than fear of punishment
• A knowledge of standards of morality

The essence of moral behaviour is to build a framework of values, which regulate personal behaviour, through principles rather than fear of punishment or reward. These values provide the framework for students to develop their attitudes and understanding on morality and develop the self-confidence to hold to this code of values against a variety of pressures. Moral development is about understanding the principles and social values behind actions and decisions.

At our school we reject:

• Bullying
• Cheating
• Deceit
• Cruelty
• Irresponsibility
• Dishonesty
• Obscenity
• Intolerance including racism, homophobia and disablist discrimination

At our School we promote moral development through a range of activities and opportunities both within and outside the classroom such as:

• Working with teachers and form tutors
• The PME Curriculum
• The Keeping Safe curriculum
• Assemblies
• Rewards and sanctions
• Welfare and guidance

Social development is concerned with developing the skills and personal qualities necessary for individuals to live and function effectively in society. Social development is based on the acceptance of group rules and the ability to see oneself in a wider context. The quality of relationships in our school is crucial in forming students’ attitudes to good social behaviour and self-discipline. Our School helps prepare students to live in society by providing knowledge and understanding of society, its institutions, structures, and

characteristics, political, non-political and economic organisations. Our School systematically plans for the social development of students through:

• Classroom organisation and management
• Seating plans and opportunities for group work
• School Council
• School production
• Educational Visits, including overseas
• The PME Curriculum
• Links with Further and Higher Education Providers
• Extra-curricular activities
• The annual Prom

A student’s cultural development refers to an understanding of those values, beliefs, customs, knowledge and skills which link groups together and give people a sense of identity. At our School we seek to develop in students an understanding and awareness of their culture within a multi-cultural society and encourage personal values and self-esteem. Our curriculum provides experiences of all aspects of culture including languages, aesthetic, mathematical, literacy, technological, scientific, musical, political, economic, citizenship and religious education.

We value our opportunities for cultural activities and visits:

• Creative and Performing Arts as part of the curriculum for all students at KS3
• Cultural visits aboard
• Visits to centres of cultural interest
• Extra-curricular activities
• Mock elections
• Charity and fundraising activities

6. British Values

In addition to developing spiritual, moral, social and cultural opportunities for students, we also ensure that the British Values of democracy, the rules of law, individual liberty and respect/tolerance permeate the work of the School. A British Values statement is available on the School website detailing some of our contributions.