Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development are four important areas of pupils’ personal development. At St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School, we promote each area through our curriculum planning and in the everyday life of the school.

 

Spiritual Development

Intent

St. Benedict’s Catholic Primary School aims to provide pupils with opportunities of personal development through developing an understanding of their own values and beliefs and an appreciation of other cultures.

Implement

We are aware that spiritual experience need not be restricted to religion and can be planned for across the whole curriculum. Science, Geography and History all give us opportunities to address important issues related to human existence.

We therefore try to develop children’s spirituality by starting from their own experience.

The ‘response’ areas of the curriculum: poetry, literature, music, movement, art, design and drama allow children to convey their feelings and thoughts in a spiritual way. With our youngest pupils we use play to help them adopt roles, solve problems and move into realms of fantasy where they can try to make sense of the world around them. With older children drama helps them to look at others’ values and beliefs and be reflective about themselves.

Pupils are encouraged to debate a wide range of issues in both oral and written form. Children learn to express and opinion and respect that others can hold a different but equally valid opinion from their own.

Impact

• Pupils experience the Catholic faith;
• Pupils develop a sense of wonder, awe, mystery and joy;
• Pupils listen, reflect and puzzle;
• Pupils consider their own feelings, likes and dislikes;
• Pupils develop personal beliefs and values and learn to respect the beliefs and values of others;
• Pupils show insights into deep questions about life, change and death;
• Pupils engage in activities which involve questioning, valuing, empathizing and imagining;
• Pupils and staff work together as part of the chaplaincy team.

Moral Development

Intent

Moral education is intricately linked to social education and we try to create a secure environment, based on a clear moral code, in which our pupils can grow into responsible citizens.

Implement

At St Benedict’s we have a Behaviour Policy which is based on a system of rewards and sanctions; however, we aim to teach our pupils to respond through the rational application of principles as they grow in maturity, rather than through fear of sanctions or punishment. We acknowledge that, whilst some pupils understand the reasons behind such principles, they may find it difficult to put them into practice if they are emotionally involved in a situation. These situations call for a particularly sensitive handling and staff make every effort to be supportive and compassionate in such cases.

Class Charters are agreed by every class at the beginning of each school year and are displayed and reviewed regularly.

Impact

• Pupils understand and experience the moral dimension of the Catholic faith;
• Pupils develop a sense of right and wrong within a supportive environment;
• Pupils develop self-esteem and take responsibility for one’s own actions;
• Pupils are aware of the needs of others;
• Pupils reflect on moral principles;
• Pupils within each year group have a Worship Book where we keep a record of activities that we have taken part in to support charities and fully embrace life in Britain today;
• Pupils develop an awareness of the needs of children in less developed countries or less affluent areas through fundraising activities.

 

Social Development

Intent

At St Benedict’s pupils are taught to have respect for others, their feelings and property. They are encouraged to show consideration, not only to fellow pupils but also to staff and visitors to the school. Older children are given responsibilities for the younger members of the school and all pupils are encouraged to support the less capable and disadvantaged.

Implement

Examples of good behaviour, of pupils showing consideration and acting as responsible citizens, are celebrated by the class during assemblies. The Star of the Week award is presented on a weekly and termly basis. We give recognition to the shining light of each class and celebrate their efforts on achieving the Fruits of the Spirit qualities.

Pupils are taught to work co-operatively, both in lessons and through after-school clubs, where they are given opportunities to take part in activities which involve teams, groups, and partnerships, and which promote fair play and self-discipline. Newly-arrived pupils are put in the care of an established pupil to guide them through their first days. Year 6 pupils act as Buddies on the KS1 playground. All year groups take part in a planned programme of PSHE which includes road safety, medicine, drug and alcohol education.

Impact

• Pupils develop skills such as co-operation, collaboration, responsibility, teamwork and initiative;
• Pupils understand and experience the rights and responsibilities of individuals within the social setting;
• Pupils engage in working relationships with other schools via workshop and competitive sports;
• Pupil engage with visitors, staff and pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Pupils recognise the need to live harmoniously in society;
• Pupils communicate with others with increased effectiveness;
• Pupils engage in activities which benefit others;
• Pupils use language in a range of groups and contexts;
• Pupils develop their writing for a range of purposes and audiences.

Cultural Development

Intent

Cultural development is concerned not just with our pupils’ knowledge and experience of their own traditions, but also with those of others. In their everyday life’s children are presented with a wide range of cultural or ethnic diversity; we therefore feel that it is extremely important that we take every opportunity to widen the range of experiences open to our pupils, both through the curriculum and through extra-curricular activities.

Implement

At St Benedict’s we use different mediums such as the importance of story, literature and drama: by making the choice of material as wide as possible and drawing from many different cultures, we can build consistently on pupils’ insights and encourage diversity. From the very beginning of their time in school we ensure that our pupils hear stories from many different cultures, communities and countries. Books from many different traditions are available in the library, the Nursery and in classrooms.

The music of different cultures is celebrated in the curriculum. Music and dance from pupils’ own culture is promoted in the curriculum and through clubs.

Impact

• Pupils value their own cultural roots, interests and achievements;
• Pupils learn from other cultures;
• Pupils engage in discussions on different cultural practices and lifestyles;
• Pupils demonstrate knowledge about their own culture and its practises;
• Pupils distinguish between right and wrong;
• Pupils develop an articulation of their own attitudes and values;
• Pupils take responsibility for their own actions.