This document explains SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural) development, maps our History units to Ofsted's SMSC descriptors, and highlights how our units promote British values. It also outlines Ofsted's Personal development criteria and identifies opportunities for pupil development in each area.
What is SMSC and how can I incorporate it into my History lessons?
SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development.
It is compulsory for schools in the United Kingdom to demonstrate that they are actively fostering the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils. The SMSC statements outlined in this History Personal development, SMSC and British values mapping document have been taken from the November 2019 Ofsted Inspection Handbook. This specifies the criteria that inspectors may use to evaluate pupils’ progress in schools in terms of SMSC development.
Spiritual Development:
Reflecting on experiences, being imaginative and creative, respecting different perspectives, enjoying learning, and considering their own beliefs.
Moral development:
Distinguishing between right and wrong, respecting legal boundaries, considering consequences, and exploring ethical issues from various perspectives.
Social development:
Resolving conflicts effectively, participating in diverse communities and social settings, working with people from different backgrounds, and accepting fundamental British values.
Cultural development:
Valuing diversity, celebrating commonalities, and fostering respect for different cultures, faiths, and groups through participation in cultural activities.
Our History curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2 aligns with Ofsted’s SMSC descriptors. By mapping the units against these descriptors, you can see how our History units provide coverage of the SMSC requirements.
Our KS1 and KS2 History curriculum can also help schools promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We have also highlighted the Personal development criteria set by Ofsted and identified the opportunities for students to develop in each of these aspects through our History lessons and units.
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What other resources does Kapow Primary have to support my teaching of SMSC, British values and Personal development?
At Kapow Primary, we understand that there is seemingly never enough time in the school week to squeeze everything in. We also understand how important it is to provide pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum that equips them with skills and knowledge that will serve them for the rest of their lives. That is where making use of cross-curricular links can help.
Within our foundation subject planning, we have ensured that your school can begin to meet SMSC, British values and personal development requirements. To show how, we have mapped our units against Ofsted’s SMSC decsriptors, Personal development statements and the British values to show coverage.
Have a look at our Personal development, SMSC and British values mapping documents for the following subjects:
Please note that the curriculum alone cannot demonstrate that your school promotes students’ personal development. Additionally, you should showcase how other aspects of school life contribute to this.
