SMSC

Rationale

At Staindrop Academy, we recognise that the personal development of students, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides students with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour, a positive, caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of the cultures. The school will ensure that children should understand how the culture(s) in which they live influences individual thinking.

All curriculum areas have a contribution to make to the child’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and opportunities for this should be planned in each area of the curriculum. Staff should model and promote expected behaviour, treating all people equally as unique and valuable individuals and showing concern and respect for students and their families. All curriculum areas should seek to use illustrations and examples drawn from as wide a range of cultural contexts as possible. The school community will be a place where students can find acceptance for themselves as unique individuals and where forgiveness and the opportunity to start again is fundamental to the ethos of the school.

Students should learn to differentiate between right and wrong. They should be aware that their actions affect other people. They will be encouraged to value themselves and others. Students will be encouraged to understand the need for rules and the need to abide by rules for the good of everyone. School and classroom responsibilities reflect, reiterate, promote and reward acceptable behaviour and provide opportunities to celebrate students’ work and achievements.

Aims

• To ensure everyone connected to Staindrop Academy is aware of our values and principles.
• To ensure a consistent approach to the delivery of SMSC issues through the curriculum and the general life of the school.
• To ensure that a student’s education is set within a context that is meaningful and appropriate to their age, aptitude and background.
• To ensure that students know what is expected of them and why.
• To enable students to begin to develop an understanding of their social and cultural environment and an appreciation of the many cultures that now enrich our society
• To give each student the opportunity to explore social and moral issues, and develop a sense of social and moral responsibility