SMSC

What is SMSC?

SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All schools in England must show how well they support children’s SMSC development.

What does each aspect of SMSC include?

At Noor367 we define the aspects of SMSC as follows:
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.

What are fundamental British values?

In 2014, the Department for Education told all schools to promote ‘British values’ and advised that this is done through SMSC. Ofsted also require schools to promote ‘British values’ at every level including through their SMSC development, the curriculum and school leadership. The fundamental British values are:
  • democracy
  • the rule of law
  • individual liberty
  • tolerance and respect
Read the DfE document Promoting fundamental British values through SMSC to find out more about how FBV should be promoted in school.

What do Ofsted say?

The importance of SMSC is outlined in Ofsted’s School Inspection Handbook. The degree to which schools promote SMSC directly affects how Ofsted judge its overall effectiveness, quality and standards. You can read the criteria outlined in points 135–139 of Ofsted’s School Inspection Handbook 2016. An ‘outstanding’ school will have a ‘thoughtful and wide-ranging promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development’. An ‘inadequate’ school will have ‘serious weaknesses in the overall promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development’.