Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) is core to Tidemill’s curriculum, ensuring our pupil’s personal development helps them to thrive in a supportive and highly cohesive learning community. 

Pupils’ spiritual development is shown by their curiosity and respect for the beliefs, faiths and values of their friends, their community and the wider world around them. Tidemill’s religious makeup provides rich and varied opportunities for learning and reflection. Experiences include school visits by community leaders as well as high quality religious education. From role play areas to classroom museums, our pupils are fascinated by the world and approach learning about themselves and others with great enthusiasm. Pupils experience other places and ways of life through Spanish language and cultural lessons, trips and residential visits including our school journeys to Sussex and the north coast of Devon.

Pupils’ moral development is shown by their understanding of children’s rights and responsibilities. These are expressed in class charters agreed at the start of the year. Pupils regularly investigate and offer reasoned views about moral and ethical issues during circle time, debating and philosophical enquiry. Experiences such as these are embedded throughout the curriculum. Core texts in English, ‘Big Ideas’ from the International Primary Curriculum and current affairs provide a rich stimulus for meaningful, memorable discussion and knowledge acquisition.

Pupils’ social development is encouraged by the teaching of Tidemill’s attitudes and skills. Skills such as communication and self-management help to emphasise the need to work both individually and as a community. Learning about real world issues increases pupils’ engagement and their desire to share their learning with a wider audience, for example Fair Trade afternoons for parents. Social skills are further enhanced by residential visits, fundraising initiatives and political activism. Pupils have raised funds for Street Trees for Living, lobbied councillors for the refurbishment of our local swimming centre and campaigned for safety and wellbeing in our local square. Tidemill’s school council helps pupils by demonstrating British values such as democracy, rule of law and individual liberty; all pupils are involved through pupil voice and pupil leadership roles across the school. Pupil’s opinions and ideas are not only heard but responded to quickly making it easier for them to describe the positive contribution they are making.

The Department for Education published guidance on promoting British values in schools to ensure young people leave school prepared for life in modern Britain. The table below shows some of the ways these values are embedded and made meaningful to our pupils.