Skip to content ↓

Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development

Spiritual Development

At Maybury Primary School we believe that a spiritually aware pupil will develop a wide range of skills. These can include the following

  • The development of insights, principles, beliefs, attitudes and values which guide and motivate us.
  •  A developing understanding of feelings and emotions which support reflection and learning.
  • Developing recognition that pupils own insights, principles, beliefs, attitudes and that values influence them in their own lives.
  • Understanding beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life & their interest in & respect for different people’s feelings & values
  • 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
  • Willingness to reflect on their experiences

Planned opportunities for spiritual development in all subjects can be seen across the school.

Children are given opportunities to reflect upon the meaning of spiritual experiences.

Our school develops pupil spiritual development by:

  • Promoting curiosity and mystery
  • Designing a stimulating curriculum including Awe and wonder
  • Giving pupils opportunities to develop an understanding and awareness of connection and belonging
  • Developing a heightened self-awareness
  • Providing opportunities for prayer and reflection
  • Ensuring all children develop a sense of security, well-being, worth and purposefulness

The school will develop a climate or ethos within which all pupils can grow and flourish, respect others and be respected; accommodating difference and respecting the integrity if individuals.

These can occur during any part of the school day, eg. when listening to music, discussing the care needed for animals, exercising empathy or creativity, how we live, talking about aspirations etc.

Moral Development

At Maybury Primary School we believe that a morally aware pupil will develop a wide range of skills. These can include the following:

  • Distinguish right from wrong, based on knowledge of the moral codes of their own and other cultures
  • Develop an ability to think through the consequences of their own and others’ actions
  • Have an ability to make responsible and reasoned judgements
  • Ensure a commitment to personal values
  • Have respect for others’ needs, interests and feelings, as well as their own
  • Develop a desire to explore their own and others’ views, and an understanding of the need to review and re-assess their values, codes and principles in the light of experience

Our school develops pupil moral development by:

  • Providing a clear moral code as a basis for behaviour which is promoted consistently through all aspects of the school
  • Promoting racial, religious and other forms of equality
  • Giving pupils opportunities across the curriculum to explore and develop moral concepts and values – for example, personal rights and responsibilities, truth, justice, equality of opportunity, right and wrong
  • Developing an open and safe learning environment in which pupils can express their views and practice moral decision making
  • Rewarding expressions of moral insights and good behaviour
  • Recognising and respecting the codes and morals of the different cultures represented in the school and wider community
  • Encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their actions, for example, respect for property, care of the environment, and developing codes of behaviour,

We teach the children to be aware of their own actions, take responsibility for their own bodies and encourage independence. We will help the children to identify their feelings and think these through so that they are expressed in behaviour that is socially acceptable. This is done through collective worship, circle time, Social Skills groups and /PSHCE/Circle Time sessions. We are interested in the development of the whole child and will endeavour to raise their self-esteem through praise, stickers and certificates.

Social Development

At Maybury Primary School we recognise that pupils who are becoming socially aware are likely to be developing the ability to:

  • Adjust to a range of social contexts by appropriate and sensitive behaviour
  • Relate well to other people’s social skills and personal qualities
  • Work successfully, as a member of a group or team
  • Share views and opinions with others
  • Resolve conflicts maturely and appropriately
  • Reflect on their own contribution to society
  • Show respect for people, living things, property and the environment
  • Be responsible
  • Understand how societies function and are organised in structures such as the family, the school
  • Understand the notion of interdependence in an increasingly complex society

Our school develops pupil social development by:

  • Identifying the schools values and principles on which school and community life is based
  • Fostering a sense of community, with common, inclusive values
  • Promoting racial, religious and other forms of equality
  • Encouraging pupils to work co-operatively
  • Encouraging pupils to recognise and respect social differences and similarities
  • Providing positive experiences to reinforce our values as a school community – for example, through assemblies, team building activities, residential experiences, school productions
  • Helping pupils develop personal qualities which are valued in a civilised society, for example, thoughtfulness, honesty, respect for difference, moral principles, independence, interdependence, self-respect and an awareness of others’ needs
  • Providing opportunities for engaging in the democratic process and participating in community life
  • Providing opportunities for pupils to exercise leadership and responsibility
  • Providing positive and effective links with the world of work and the wider community

Cultural Development

Children should be made aware of the diversity of other cultures both within modern Britain and throughout the world. This can be done through music, PE, art and many other curriculum areas.

This is shown in our Foundation plans.

Pupils who are becoming culturally aware are likely to be developing some or all of the following characteristics:

  • An ability to reflect on important questions of meaning and identity
  • An interest in exploring the relationship between human beings and the environment

Our school develops pupils’ cultural development by:

  • Extending pupils’ knowledge and use of cultural imagery and language
  • Encouraging them to think about special events in life and how they are celebrated
  • Recognising and nurturing particular gifts and talents; providing opportunities for pupils to participate in literature, drama, music, art, crafts and other cultural events and encouraging pupils to reflect on their significance
  • Reinforcing the school’s cultural links through displays, posters, assemblies etc. As well as developing partnerships with outside agencies and individuals to extend pupils’ cultural awareness, for example, theatre and museum visits