Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)
At Whitehouse Primary School, we believe every child deserves Aspirational Opportunities for All. Our approach to Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development helps children feel safe, valued and inspired as they aspire to grow and learn for life.
SMSC is woven through our curriculum, daily routines and wider school life. It reflects our core values:
🌟 We Demand aspiration and inclusivity
💛 We Act With kindness, respect and empathy
🚀 We Aspire To grow with creativity, resilience and confidence
Through rich experiences, thoughtful teaching and a nurturing environment, we support children to become compassionate, responsible and confident members of their community.
🌿 Spiritual Development
We encourage children to explore who they are, reflect on their beliefs and develop a sense of awe and wonder about the world around them.
At Whitehouse, children show spiritual development through:
- Reflecting on their own beliefs and values
- Enjoyment and curiosity in learning about themselves and others
- Respecting different faiths, feelings and worldviews
- Using creativity, imagination and expression
- Taking time to reflect on personal experiences
Where and when this happens at Whitehouse Primary:
- RE curriculum exploring a range of world faiths
- Opportunities for mindfulness, reflection and wellbeing activities
- PSHE lessons focused on emotions, identity and growth
- Whole‑school assemblies
- Special, themed learning weeks and days
- Visits and links with local churches and faith groups
- Celebrations of religious festivals (Easter, Ramadan, Diwali and more)
- Singing assemblies with reflective themes
- Pupil‑led reflections and contributions during assemblies
💛 Moral Development
We help children develop a clear sense of right and wrong, understand the impact of their choices and treat others with fairness and empathy – reflecting our value: We Act With kindness, respect and empathy.
Children show moral development through:
- Understanding right and wrong
- Respecting rules, laws and boundaries
- Taking responsibility for their actions
- Considering the views and feelings of others
- Reflecting on moral questions and real‑life dilemmas
Where this happens at Whitehouse Primary:
- RE and PSHE lessons exploring moral questions
- Assemblies themed around fairness, respect and responsibility
- Our behaviour policy, rooted in restorative practice
- Trauma‑informed and nurture‑based approaches
- Rights Respecting School ethos
- Online safety teaching in the computing curriculum
- Class and whole‑school charters created with pupils
- Class discussions and debates
- Work with Police Community Safety Officers (PCSOs) and community safety partners
- Zones of Regulation, Thrive and social‑skills programmes
- Emotional literacy support, pastoral care and family support services
🤝 Social Development
Social development is about helping children build positive relationships, work collaboratively and contribute to their school and community. At Whitehouse, we encourage pupils to use social skills confidently in a wide range of situations.
Children show social development through:
- Working and playing with others respectfully
- Engaging with different people, backgrounds and communities
- Volunteering, helping and contributing positively
- Understanding British Values and their role in society
- Developing skills that prepare them for life in modern Britain
Where this happens at Whitehouse Primary:
- PSHE lessons promoting teamwork and communication
- Classroom practices that encourage discussion and collaboration
- Teaching play skills and conflict resolution
- Restorative conversations and reflective approaches
- Breakfast Club, Lunch Club and after‑school provision
- Clubs, trips and enrichment (swimming, Bikeability, visitors, workshops)
- Class assemblies and community celebrations
- Singing for local care homes and community groups
- Opportunities to apply for leadership roles
- Pupil Voice elections and fortnightly meetings
- Debates and discussions about fairness, equality and democracy
- Whole‑school events: World Book Day, art competitions, fundraising days
🌍 Cultural Development
Cultural development helps children understand and appreciate the richness of their own heritage and the diversity of others. We celebrate the many cultures, experiences and talents that make up our school community, preparing pupils to thrive in modern Britain.
Children show cultural development through:
- Recognising diverse cultural influences
- Respecting and celebrating different backgrounds and traditions
- Participating in artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
- Understanding Britain’s democratic heritage
- Engaging positively with local, national and global communities
Where this happens at Whitehouse Primary:
- A wide variety of extra-curricular clubs and creative opportunities
- Visitors bringing cultural, historical and artistic experiences
- Rights Respecting School themes and assemblies
- Educational trips linked to history, geography and the arts
- Pupil Voice activities, democratically elected roles
- Whole‑school focus on anti‑bullying, racism and respect
- Fundraising for charities including MIND, MND, Children in Need and Comic Relief
- Art competitions, performances and school productions
- Concerts, pantomimes, sharing assemblies and ‘Whitehouse has got talent’ competitions
- Holiday clubs and enrichment opportunities for families
- Local area studies in the curriculum
- Watching and discussing age‑appropriate news stories
- Celebrating achievements from all cultures and communities
💬 What Our Pupils Say
Our children are at the heart of everything we do. When asked whether they would recommend Whitehouse Primary School, pupils often speak about:
- Feeling safe, valued and supported
- The kindness of staff and friends
- The exciting clubs, trips and enrichment opportunities
- The chance to be leaders and make a difference
- Celebrating everyone’s uniqueness
- The joy of learning in a welcoming, inclusive school
You can find out what our Year 6 Ambassadors have to say here.