Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

SMSC at Biddenham

We provide a broad and balanced curriculum across all year groups and our Sixth Form. Across year 7 – 11, the core curriculum includes English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Religious Studies, core Physical Education and Science, alongside a broad range of option subjects.

We believe that all students should have access to a wide range of option subjects and that they can select subjects which provide them with the best chance of success and enjoyment of learning.

Students’ personal and social development is also supported during ‘Essential Life Skills (ELS)‘ which is delivered twice a week through tutor time.  Every year group will cover half a term on the following themes:

  • Citizenship
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Careers, Enterprise and Employability
  • Core Computing and ICT skills
  • Relationships
  • First Aid (Years 8 & 9)
  • Study Skills (Years 10, 12 and 13)

The PSHE Association recommended curriculum is mapped throughout our ELS programme, ensuring we develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, teamworking and critical thinking in the context of learning grouped into three core themes: health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world (including economic well-being and aspects of careers education).

The programme is developed through years 7 and 8 and then moving through the year groups embedding deeper knowledge and understanding of key issues up to sixth form.  The students value the programme and play an active role in developing the content through student forum.

We also run a comprehensive range of Enrichment activities for all year groups, which enhance our curriculum provision further. The school website is updated every term with a new programme to complement the curriculum delivery.

Preparation for life in modern Britain

We believe it is our duty as an educational establishment to not only support students in gaining the skills required to pass examinations, but also to develop them into well-rounded global citizens, who will have the skills and adaptability to continue with further study and then into the world of work.

Our curriculum offers a wide range of opportunities to support students development of their own beliefs, to encourage them to make sound moral judgements and to be exposed to different viewpoints, religions and cultures in order for them to be prepared for life in a modern Britain.

This is referred to as students’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC).

We have also included a downloadable copy of the documentation for reference offline

Click to download our Spiritual Moral Social Cultural Information

Click to download our Spiritual Moral Social Cultural Development Policy