SMSC at Heathfield Community College
Heathfield Community College takes pride in the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of all students. SMSC is concerned with students developing their core values; being responsible, respectful and active citizens. It encourages students to reflect on their beliefs and experiences and behave with integrity. It supports students in making positive contributions, both within the community and wider society.
SMSC is integral to the learning experiences and opportunities offered to students at Heathfield Community College. The information below gives just some of the ways that SMSC opportunities are offered to students.
Spiritual development
(Please note that these are examples only and this is not an exhaustive list)
Students are reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
- Opportunities for reflection about beliefs occurs as part of the PRE and PSHEe curriculum. For example, in PRE lessons, considering what it means to be human.
- In tutor time students are given opportunities to reflect and discuss their points of view on a range of issues as part of a structured and resourced programme.
Students have knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values.
- Much of this is delivered, discreetly to all year groups, through the PRE and PSHEe curriculum.
- In MFL students explore different cultures and attitudes through the study of traditions, customs and festivals.
Students have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.
- In Geography, Year 7 students use the ‘Dollar Street’ website to learn about what it is like to live in other parts of the world.
- Students are offered opportunities to participate in a wide range of trips and visits in order to broaden their horizons. These range from local visits, for example to art galleries to trips abroad.
Students use imagination and creativity in their learning.
- In PRE, Year 7 students take part in a Spiritual Arts Competition.
- Music, Art, Design Technology, English and Drama allow students’ creativity to flourish.
Students show a willingness to reflect on their experiences.
- In PHSEe and Tutor time students are given the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences of various issues, including healthy lifestyles, wellbeing and bullying.
Moral development
(Please note that these are examples only and this is not an exhaustive list)
Students recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, and to recognise legal boundaries and, in doing so, respect the civil and criminal law of England.
- In history students are taught about the holocaust and the dangers of anti-Semitism.
- In ICT and computing students consider laws and how these affect individuals e.g. Copyright and Computer misuse Act.
Students understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions
- The Heathfield Habits guide students’ behaviour, along with the College Behaviour for Learning policy and the Praise and Consequence system. These are integral to each lesson and help students to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Students are taught that every action has a consequence whether positive or negative and they are in control of that outcome.
(the Heathfield habits can be found on our Welcome page) - In ICT and computing students learn that behaviour online has consequences, for example social media posts.
Students show interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and are able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.
- Students are offered opportunities to do this through the PRE and PSHEe curriculum.
- In science students investigate the ethical issues surrounding reproductive technologies, cloning and genetic engineering.
Social development
(Please note that these are examples only and this is not an exhaustive list)
Students use a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- Student Leadership offers opportunities to work with students from different year groups, for example by becoming a buddy, prefect, or supporting House activities.
Students show a willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively.
- Students have opportunities to volunteer and represent the College at events such as Open Evenings and Open Mornings.
- The Life Stories Project has given opportunities for sixth-form writers to meet and talk with elderly people in local villages.
- Student Leadership offers opportunities to volunteer, e.g.in the library or as Digital Genius’ and at KS2 Sports Festivals.
- Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme requires excellent teamwork and cooperation.
Students accept and engage with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
- Students engage with the fundamental British Values through lessons, tutor time, and assemblies to allow them to participate fully and contribute positively (see FBV statement).
Cultural development
(Please note that these are examples only and this is not an exhaustive list)
Students have an understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
- Students actively participate in their PRE and PSHEe lessons discussing faith, beliefs and religions.
- In English, students in all key stages study Shakespeare and his significance to our heritage.
- Year 7 study Blake’s poetry and in doing so appreciate romanticism and the heritage of writing in our country.
- In History, Year 7 study the development of the British Empire and the development and abolition of slavery.
Students have an understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain.
- Students actively participate in their PRE and PSHEe lessons, discussing faith, beliefs and religions.
- In Art, artefacts and art work from other cultures are studied and used to develop projects.
Students are able to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities.
- World issues are discussed as part of the tutor time curriculum and as assembly themes where appropriate.
- In Geography, Year 7 students use the ‘Dollar Street’ website to learn about what it is like to live in other parts of the world.
- Students actively participate in their PRE and PSHEe lessons, discussing faith, beliefs and religions.
Students have knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain.
- Students can participate in mock elections, by standing as well as voting (See FBV page).
Students show a willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities.
- There are a range of extra-curricular activities in music, the arts and sports offered to students.
- Students engage in a wide range of student leadership opportunities.
- Students have exposure to our cultural calendar through the tutor time and assembly curriculum. They engage in trips along with enrichment week opportunities. Students have the opportunity to visit Kabubbu in Uganda.