Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education (SMSC)

The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students is at the heart of the education offered at Ormiston Denes Academy. Our approach to SMSC is embodied through our core values of aspiration, integrity and respect; values that we believe are fundamental to a full and positive participation in society in modern Britain.

SMSC education is embedded throughout the curriculum students follow, across a wide range of subjects. It is further supplemented through our PSHE/ RE programme, weekly assemblies, and a range of seminars from external organisations and guests.

We support the spiritual development of our students to enable them to develop their:
  • Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values, sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them, use of imagination and creativity in their learning and willingness to reflect on their experiences.
  • Ability to reflect on what moves them individually, and inspires them to aim higher.
We support the moral development of our students to enable them to develop their:
  • Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, and to apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England.
  • Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions.
  • Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.
We support the social development of our students to enable them to develop their:
  • Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with students from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively.
  • Acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We support the cultural development of our students to enable them to develop their:
  • Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
  • Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain.
  • Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain.
  • Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities.
  • Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity.
  • Tolerance towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.