What does SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) development mean?

At Furze Infant we recognise that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally (SMSC) plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides the following aspects for our pupils:

Spiritual: The opportunity to explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences.

Moral: The opportunity to learn what is right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views.

Social: The opportunity to use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict.

Cultural: The opportunity to explore and appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in cultural opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

VE banners  produced by  Furze Infant pupils along with other selected schools in Barking and Dagenham  which is displayed in the Council’s Town Hall Chamber. The VE banners honour  all the  sacrifices made during World War 1 & 2 . It also captures the self-less work by the NHS during the covid pandemic.

 The British Values and our school Learning Values, including Positive Choices; Respect, Co-operation, Gratitude; Resilience and Honesty form the basis of our curriculum and behaviour policies and procedures.  Our pupils also have a chance to work in teams and other collaborative settings.  Our school values are taught daily through school assemblies, religious education and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) lessons.  We also promote this during special weeks such as Parliament Week.

How do we promote British Values?

  Schools are required to promote specific ‘British Values’ namely:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Mutual respect
• Individual Liberty
• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Democracy

Pupil voice is an integral aspect of school life at Furze Infants.  Our pupil elected Pupil Council plays a strong role in our school. They are elected by their class peers and are involved in making Furze a better place to learn.  Pupils have input in their learning and what they would like to learn, which promotes our Pupil Voice.  Pupil questionnaires and interviews are conducted regularly. Council members produce their own newsletter which promotes the activities and interests that they pursue on behalf of the pupil body. Council members have an opportunity to visit and tour the House of Commons. The School also have an Eco-Warrior Group that elected democratically who promote environmental issues. They conduct ‘environmental reviews’ during which they look at; water, waste, marine, school grounds, transport, litter, energy, biodiversity, global citizenship and healthy eating. 

Rule of law

Familiarisation with rules and routines is a fundamental element of life with which pupils engage at Furze Infant School. Understanding how rules offer protection and safety, and being aware of the consequences of good and bad decisions, is essential in ensuring that pupils make the right choices.

We support pupils in this through: 

•  Dedicated Assembly and PSHE lessons to reinforce the school’s behaviour systems.
• Throughout the year we welcome visits from members of the wider community including police, the fire brigade and many more. We believe that clear explanations and real life stories emphasise the importance of the Rule of Law for our pupils.
•  We use the Stay on Green Behaviour  system and our Golden Rules

Mutual Respect

Our pupils learn together with respect for each other.  Our school motto is, " Learning Happily together" which is encouraged daily through our Golden Rules and our school values. We value and celebrate our peers. This is done weekly on the school Class Dojo posts which celebrate pupil achievements . Photos are taken and shared with the school community.  Every pupil knows that we respect and appreciate each other no matter what differences may exist.  Mutual respect is our core school learning value. Without our community working together and achieving together, our School Motto will not be fulfilled.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

We are proud of being a strong and vibrant multi-cultural school with pupils coming from 44 different countries with 29 languages and dialects being spoken.  Tolerance and mutual respect is very much part of our school ethos.  Our pupils visit different places of worship including the church, mosque and Gudwara and staff have made links with various religious leaders to promote tolerance. We also achieve this by:

•  Delivering a detailed religious education curriculum, celebratory cultural theme days and school trips.
• PSHE and assembly themes that encourage children to explore and value the rich diversity of cultures and lifestyles throughout the world.

 Individual Liberty

We work to create a positive culture at Furze so that pupils are in a secure, safe environment where choices are encouraged.  In lessons, learning tasks are challenging and require cooperation, hard work and perseverance.  Pupils understand they may have to take appropriate risk and sometimes the award may not go to them.  They are taught to support and encourage each other.  We offer a range of clubs which pupils have the freedom to choose from, based on their interests.  Through our PHSE lessons, assemblies, RE Lessons, meditation and  E-Safety lessons we educate children on their rights and personal freedoms as well as supporting them in recognising how to exercise these freedoms safely.