SMSVC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Vocational and Cultural Education) is a fundamental part of all learning that takes place at St. Patrick’s. SMSVC focuses on the development of the whole child and embodies our Catholic ethos in which the children can grow and develop to their full potential.

It aims to help the children to understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many things that are part of growing up. SMSVC helps to give pupils the knowledge skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. SMSVC is part of our everyday life and alongside the fundamental British Values and our school virtues, is at the heart of everything we do!

What is Spiritual, Moral, Social, Vocational and Cultural Education?

The Spiritual Development of children is shown by their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s feelings, values and faiths.
• sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them including the intangible.
• use of imagination and creativity in their learning.
• reflect on their experiences.

The Moral Development of children is shown by their:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, and their readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives. To have a respect for the civil law and the criminal law of England.
• understanding of the consequences of their behaviour.
• Investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and their ability to accept, respect and appreciate that others may have a different viewpoint.

The Social Development of children is shown by their:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working with pupils from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
• participate in a variety of social settings, co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively.
• willingness to help and volunteer.
• interest in, and understanding of the way that communities and societies function at a variety of levels.
• acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, respect and tolerance of those with differing faiths and beliefs. Their attitude towards these British Values allows children to participate fully and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

The Vocational Development of children is shown by their:

• helping those in need in the community, demonstrating sacrifice and almsgiving.
• ability to show forgiveness, mercy, tolerance, peace and compassion
• ability to demonstrate faithfulness, purity and holiness.

 The Cultural Development of children is shown by their:

• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others.
• participate in and respond to artistic, musical, sporting mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities.
• understanding and appreciation of the wide range of different cultures in modern Britain as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain.
• interest in exploring, understanding of and respect for cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their attitudes towards different religious and ethnic groups in the local, national and global communities.

In planning for our pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, we recognise that we need to provide as many opportunities as possible for our pupils to engage with culturally rich and diverse experiences. Opportunities to develop SMSVC form both part of the formal and informal curriculum, through cross-curricular activities, teaching in RE and PSHE.