Spiritual, Moral, Cultural & Social Policies
The rationale for Curriculum 2000 includes significant mention of students spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It is a foremost element of education in Macmillan seeking to prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life, developing principles for distinguishing between right and wrong, creating enduring values, producing integrity and helping students to be responsible, caring citizens capable of contributing to a just society.
Across the whole Academy SMSC will be found integrated into the curriculum, but special emphasis will be found in the Tutorial sessions and assemblies, as well as the whole Academy programme of Citizenship.
Spiritual Development
We seek to allow and encourage:
Spiritual Development with students, of whatever religious tradition or none, becoming aware of the spiritual dimension which is within them, having time to reflect and to know that there is something deeper and more enduring than the outward and material world that surrounds them.
Spiritual development will be assessed by the extent to which opportunities are provided throughout the whole curriculum and life of the Academy to:
- develop a sense of mystery, wonder and joy at being alive in this world,
- enjoy and respond to times of silence, stillness and reflection,
- begin to develop beliefs and values by which to live and learn to respect the beliefs and values of others.
Moral Development
We seek to allow and encourage:
Moral Development enables students to take a thoughtful view of what is right and wrong, to recognise the interests of others as well as themselves and develop characteristics such as unselfishness, kindness, truthfulness and commitments to justice and integrity, so that they can live in ways that respect the well-being and rights of others.
Moral development will be assessed by the extent to which opportunities are provided throughout the whole curriculum and life of the Academy to:
- be aware of and care for one's neighbour as oneself,
- develop moral values,
- understand how to make right choices and learn the consequences of making wrong ones,
- develop self-esteem and learn to extend and receive forgiveness,
- understand the importance of belonging to a community and that rights should be balanced with responsibilities.
Social Development
We seek to allow and encourage:
Social Development enables students to relate to others successfully developing social skills and characteristics such as tolerance, respectfulness, and a willingness to get involved, so that they can play a full and fulfilling part in the community and society as family members, citizens, workers and learners.
Social development will be assessed by the extent to which opportunities are provided throughout the whole curriculum and life of the Academy to:
develop skills such as co-operation, leadership, collaboration, responsibility, teamwork and initiative;
develop, experience and understand social relationships and the rights and responsibilities of individuals within the social setting;
find out about and gain understanding of the ways in which societies function in order to become good citizens.
Cultural Development
We seek to allow and encourage:
Cultural Development enables people to develop their own pace and identify in society and appreciate and participate in their own culture, and the cultures of others by developing their appreciation of, for example, the arts, sport, music and other aspects of culture so that they can participate in the cultural life of their communities and society for their own and others enrichment.
Cultural development will be assessed by the extent to which opportunities are provided throughout the whole curriculum and life of the Academy to:
value and encourage students' own cultural roots, interests and achievements and enrich, broaden and deepen these experiences;
enable students to demonstrate knowledge about their own cultural traditions and its practices whilst also recognising and appreciating cultural diversity;
comprehend something of the global community and developing meaningful links where appropriate.
Conclusion
The personal development of students, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a very significant part in their ability to learn and achieve and is essential to the fulfilment of the whole Academy ethos and plan.