What is SMSC?

At Cornerstone Academy we are dedicated to developing the whole student and Character Education is a pivotal part of our curriculum.

We firmly believe in a holistic education, experience and curriculum that ensures that our students grow into responsible and positive members of the community. 

We believe that the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development of our students is a central part of our purpose, along with ensuring excellent standards in the classroom. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides young people with opportunities to explore and develop their own values, whilst recognising that those of others may differ.

Beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour including a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures are all critical skills and dispositions that we nurture, encourage and develop through our subject and wider curriculum. SMSC development is also closely linked to our school values of ambition, confidence, creativity, respect, enthusiasm and determination which underpin the ethos of our school. 

• Spiritual: Exploring personal values and beliefs; reflecting on the big questions of life; understanding the importance of spirituality in our lives.
• Moral: Developing a strong sense of personal morality; learning to make ethical and moral decisions; understanding how our actions impact others.
• Social: Developing healthy relationships and social skills; learning about social justice and human rights; exploring the impact of social, economic and political factors on our society.
• Cultural: Understanding cultural diversity and the impact of culture on our lives; learning to appreciate cultural heritage and traditions; exploring how cultural identity shapes who we are.

Our mission at Cornerstone is to make sure SMSC is developed through a whole school approach, through the taught curriculum, the pastoral and assembly programme and through trips, visits and the extra-curricular programme. We will ensure that students are clear that SMSC is not just something that is ‘taught’ but also something that is ‘caught’ through their active membership in the school community.

How do we develop SMSC in our students?

• Provide students with the opportunity to work independently and show that they can be self-reliant learners.

• Provide opportunities for students to develop teamwork and leadership skills. 

• Encourage students to actively participate and engage in lessons. 

• Provide the opportunity for students to reflect and develop thinking skills. 

• Encourage students to display consideration, cooperation, courtesy and respect to their peers and to staff and celebrate this through our Golden Ticket scheme.

• Provide students with opportunities to be creative and develop a fascination for subjects/topics through our lessons and wider enrichment programme.

Practical examples of how students develop their SMSC at Cornerstone:  

• Working towards their ‘Education with Character’ Goals.

• Taking responsibility, leadership opportunities – Student Council, Prefects, Sports Leaders, Kindness Champions

• Encouraging teamwork in all group activities. House competitions.

• Meeting people from different cultures and countries – Culture Day, Year 7 Visiting speakers in RE. Year 8 multi-faith debate

• Participation in a variety of different educational visits. 

• Participation in live performances in drama and the school show

• Use of assembly themes to widen students spiritual, moral and cultural understanding

• Studying the ‘Arts’ from different cultures supported by visits from artists and participating in workshops.

• Opportunities for the children to hear and see live performances by professional actors, dancers and musicians.

• Opportunities to make and evaluate food from other countries.

• Studying the contributions to society that certain famous, historical and influential people have made.
• Developing their own creative writing and speeches for speaking and listening in English
• Analysing current affairs and moral issues in our DEAR reading lessons
• Taking part in the Smart Schools Council ‘Big Debate Club’ fortnightly as part of Key stage 3 tutor time programme
• Studying topics such as Equality and Human Rights as part of Personal Development and core RE programme.

British Values

Schools should promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs as part of their provision of SMSC.

How do we promote British Values at Cornerstone?

• Assemblies throughout the year that focus on the five different strands of British Values 
• An active student Council where students stand and vote in an election. A planned-out campaign time and voting day is in place. Student Council reps are then elected to various subgroups which highlights the different areas MPs might work on in government. Student Council reps receive training on ‘leading a meeting’ and ‘assertiveness’ to help them gain vital skills for a successful council. The student council manages its own budget.
• Student voice is encouraged throughout the school. Students take part in an annual survey to assess their views of the school but also during department reviews student voice is completed and shared with the department area to act on.
• Students are taught across the curriculum and in extra-curricular events to debate and argue as would happen in British democracy. In English, History, RE and tutor time debates regularly takes place.
• Taking part in Elections – All students voted in the Mark your Mark Elections (Youth Parliament). Students were taught about the arguments for and against during tutor time before their vote. A display board with the issues was put up to support students thinking.
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance – Students are taught about a range of faiths throughout RE lessons at KS3. Year 7 study Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism. Year 8 Study Islam and Humanism. We host a multi-faith panel each year and views of different individuals are shared.
• Stereotypes are challenged throughout Personal Development especially in the Prejudice and discrimination module as well as the world religion modules in RE. Throughout PD and RE lessons students express their views but are challenged to consider evidence and are presented with various sources to help with their own decision making.
• Throughout our school systems British Values are demonstrated. The Cornerstone Charter (written by students) allows students to work in classrooms where mutual respect is shown for learning.
• Our Prefect System encourages leadership, mutual respect and individual liberty as they complete duties around the school at lunch time to support younger peers. Prefects are trained by members of staff to ensure they build up their leadership skills.
• Charity events throughout the year (mutual respect/tolerance) where tutor groups plan and deliver their own events. SOTCA (Our PTFA) also support with fundraising for the school through a variety of events.