SMSC, FBV and Equalities

On this page:

Aims of SMSC

Delivery of SMSC

Theme of the Week

Purpose of Assemblies

Fundamental British Values

At Invicta Grammar School, we recognise that the development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve their full potential. As such, the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) enrichment of our students is at the heart of the school’s ethos.
 

Aims of SMSC

We aim to provide an education that provides students with:

Spiritual development of students shown by their:

• ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise
• 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
• willingness to reflect on their experiences.

Moral development of students shown by their:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England
• an 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.

Social development of students shown by their:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and social-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; the pupils develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

Cultural development of pupils shown by 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, and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.
   

Delivery of SMSC

SMSC is embedded throughout all aspects of Invicta life. It is delivered through:

• The everyday teaching and learning in all subjects
• Key curriculum content in subjects such as Religious Studies, History, Classical Civilisation, English, and Modern Foreign Languages.
• Theme for the Week
• Assemblies
• PSHEE
• Form time activities – morning screen
• Enrichment programme
• Broadening Horizons – cultural opportunities
• Charity
• Internationalism
• Holism Programme
• Global Learning
• Enterprise
• Clubs and Societies
• Leadership opportunities

Theme of the Week 

At Invicta, there is a designated theme for each week and students engage with and learn about this theme through assemblies, form time and personal development. These themes reflect the core values and the Habits for Success that Invicta Grammar School is committed to. The themes are also designed to link with:

• Religious/Cultural Festivals i.e. Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan, Easter, Diwali, Nanakshahi, Wesak, Sukkot, Epiphany, Holi, Eid-al-adha
• Awareness Days/Events i.e. International Volunteer Day, Global Family Day, Holocaust Memorial Day, Remembrance Day, International Women’s Day, World Religion Day, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, Commonwealth Day… i.e.
• Historical Events/ Anniversaries i.e. Battle of Hastings 1066, Dylan Thomas birth 1914, Robert Louis Stevenson born 1850, Terry Waite released from captivity in Beirut 1991, Darwin published The Origin of Species 1859, Britain’s first policewoman 1914, London underground opens 1863, Big Ben first ticked 1859, Death of Hadrian (Roman Emperor) 138, Mary Rose sank (1545)
• Awareness Months i.e. National Black History month (October), African/America History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Great Outdoors Month (June)

The Purpose of Assemblies:

• Reinforce an ethos of excellence
• Promote high standards, expectations and aspirations
• Develop a sense of spirituality among the students
• Provide an opportunity to ‘reflect’ / collective worship
• Raise moral and ethical questions
• Encourage social awareness
• Develop spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) enrichment
• Strengthen aesthetic awareness
• Reinforce the core values of the school
• Create a greater sense of community through shared experience
• Offer stimulating, thought-provoking and sometimes humorous issues
• Maintain good communication among staff and students
• Celebrate students' work and other achievements

All assemblies and morning screens include an opportunity for ‘reflection’. This is a valuable opportunity for students to:

• be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise
• develop respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values
• reflect on and learn from their experiences

Fundamental British Values 

At Invicta Grammar we promote and support fundamental British values while at the same time we prepare students to be responsible and active citizens in a multicultural and diverse society. We acknowledge, celebrate and inform students about Britain’s history, culture and heritage in a whole variety of ways. We are particularly pleased with the events associated with our school wide commemoration of the Centenary of the First World War. This project includes various cross-curricular events, assemblies and opportunities.