SMSC

Defining spiritual, moral, social and cultural development:

Spiritual:

Explore beliefs and experience; respect values; discover oneself and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.

Moral:

Recognise right and wrong; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.

Social:

Use social skills in different contexts; work well with others; resolve conflicts; understand how communities work.

Cultural:

Appreciate cultural influences; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

SMSC at Harris Academy South Norwood

Tutorial Programme

1. Current Affairs

Current Affairs is weekly tutorial activity examining a topical and current news story. Topics cover an extensive range of subjects which develop students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding, including politics, media and religion. Information is presented without bias, challenging students to discuss and debate issues taking place across the world as well as in Britain. Students are encouraged to interrogate the moral, cultural, spiritual and social aspects of the world around them. They develop a balanced point of view and empathy for those in the wider and local environment.

2. FLICKS

6. Faith
6. Lifestyle
6. Inclusion
6. Culture
6. Knowledge
7. Society

FLICKS is a weekly tutorial activity where students explore more about the culture within modern Britain, their rights as citizens in the UK, local and wider environmental issues, developing themselves as individuals, the lifestyle they lead, understanding right from wrong, developing enterprise and celebrating differences in our richly multicultural and diverse society.

Assemblies

Assemblies at Harris Academy South Norwood foster a sense of enquiry and interest in a range of religious, spiritual, moral, social, cultural and wider life issues, and provide clear guidance on what is right and wrong. They link to identified key themes for each term for the assemblies and are included in the schemes of work for the RE programme and tutor based activities. Each assembly encourages a sense of community and loyalty to the Hub and the Academy underpinned by a community spirit, a common ethos and shared values. Each week offers the opportunity of a public platform to encourage and celebrate individual and collective successes. There is also the opportunity for collective worship and reflection on the beliefs and values of mainly Christian and other world faiths.

Engaging with the local community

1. Work experience: Students in Yr10 develop a range of skills related to the world of work when they participate in Work Experience.  Students are given positions in the local and wider community in order to gain valuable social skills and experience of the world around them.

2. Guest speakers: Visiting speakers to the Academy enable our students to gain first-hand knowledge of charities and businesses in the local community.

3. Celebrations open to the public: Our very popular musicals and Rewards Evenings are open to members of the public to attend, forging social and community engagement.

Enrichment programme

Our Enrichment programme provides extra-curricular activities designed to be fun and enhance our students’ experience at the Academy. Our students extend their learning beyond that of the standard curriculum in an environment that caters for and challenges all. They develop a range of essential skills that will help them become active, enterprising and well-rounded individuals. Students are expected to attending at least one Enrichment activity on a weekly basis each term where they will enjoy a range of fun activities in a social setting.

Student Leadership

Student Leadership is the individual and collective perspective and actions of young people within the context of learning and education at Harris Academy South Norwood. Students vote for their form representatives and apply for student leadership roles across the Academy. Our young people are empowered to give their opinions and suggestions on Academy life in an open, democratic, secure and constructive way.

Religious Education and Philosophy

The curriculum for Religious Education (RE) and Philosophy is broad and well-balanced, promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of students, and helping to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Our RE themes involve respect, self-esteem, appreciation and wonder and open-mindedness. We offer a balanced approach to students’ religious education which is broadly Christian, but encompasses all major faiths.

Respect:

• One’s own beliefs, values and traditions
• Those that have different beliefs and customs
• The rights of others to hold their own views without embarrassment, ridicule and intimidation
• caring for each other, the environment and the needs and concerns of others

Self esteem:

• affirming the uniqueness of each person
• developing a mature sense of self-worth and value
• developing the confidence to ask important questions of meaning
• developing the ability to reflect

Appreciation and wonder:

• developing a personal interest in ultimate questions
• The desire to search for the meaning of life
• developing a sense of awe, wonder and appreciation
• Willingness to ask questions and to explore
• Curiosity and a desire to seek after the truth

Commitment:

• understanding the importance of commitment to a set of values by which to live
• Willingness to develop a positive approach to life
• The ability to learn, while living with certainty and uncertainty

Open mindedness:

• listening to the views of others without prejudging the response
• Careful consideration of the views of others
• Willingness to consider evidence and argument
• Readiness to look beyond superficial impressions or stereotypes
• being prepared to reconsider existing views