SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural)
What is SMSC?
SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. At Vermont School, it helps children belong by understanding themselves and others, believe in their values and choices, and achieve by growing into confident, kind, and respectful individuals. Through reflection, relationships, and experiences, pupils develop skills that help them thrive in learning, friendships, and future life.
Why do we teach SMSC?
We teach SMSC to help every child feel safe, valued, and connected. It encourages pupils to explore their feelings and beliefs, make positive choices, and celebrate diversity. SMSC helps children belong as part of a caring community, believe in themselves as responsible citizens, and achieve by learning how to live well with others. It prepares them for life in modern Britain and the wider world.
How we teach SMSC
At Vermont School, SMSC is woven through everything we do. Children learn through daily routines, lessons, enrichment activities, assemblies, and community experiences. They practise skills of respect, empathy, and teamwork, while exploring different cultures, arts, and traditions. Key values are revisited often, helping pupils build resilience, kindness, and confidence. In line with our values, pupils belong by contributing to their community, believe in their strengths and choices, and achieve by developing the qualities they need for lifelong success.
Our Reading Spine
We developed our Reading Spine to help us learn about ourselves and others through stories. It supports our PSHE, British Values and SMSC by teaching us about kindness, fairness and difference, and it helps us Belong, Believe and Achieve while becoming stronger readers. Our Reading Spine is here