Spiritual Moral Social and Cultural Development Statement

We recognise that the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils is of fundamental importance in the ‘whole child’ education we strive to achieve. It supports all areas of learning and is key to a child’s motivation to learn. We recognise that such development is most successful when the values and attitudes promoted by all the staff provide a model of behaviour for our pupils. These values are outlined below:

Spiritual
Explore beliefs and experiences; respect values; discover oneself and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity; reflect.

Moral
Recognise right and wrong; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues; offer reasoned views.

Social
Use social skills in different contexts; work well with others; resolve conflicts; understand how communities work.

Cultural
Appreciate cultural influences; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

We aim to provide an education that gives pupils opportunities to explore and develop their own values, beliefs and spiritual awareness. Pupils should demonstrate a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures whilst encompassing the British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with other faiths and beliefs.

The integrity and spirituality of pupils from other faith backgrounds will be respected and explored. The diversity of traditions will be recognised, and pupils will be given access to alternative views.

The school community will be a place where pupils can find acceptance for themselves as unique individuals, and where resilience and the opportunity to start again is fundamental to the ethos of the school.

Pupils should learn to differentiate between right and wrong in as far as their actions affect other people. They will be encouraged to value themselves and others.

Pupils should understand the need for rules and the need to abide by rules for the good of everyone. School and classroom rules reflect, reiterate, promote and reward acceptable behaviour and provide opportunities to celebrate pupils' work and achievements.

Votes for Schools

At Eldon Grove Academy, our aim is to foster a sense of both knowledge and curiosity in the students.

This extends beyond the confines of the National Curriculum, encompassing a broader understanding of the world and current events. The introduction of VotesforSchools into our learning environment seamlessly integrates topical issues and current affairs. Children not only learn but actively engage with the topics, posing questions and offering their insights.

Each week, the chosen topic is presented during our year group assemblies on Mondays, followed by in-depth exploration in class sessions later in the week. The subsequent week begins with a reflection on the previous topic, incorporating feedback from the school's voting results, nationwide school outcomes and insights from relevant professional bodies associated with the discussed theme. This holistic approach supports the overarching goal of Votes for Schools: to encourage students to 'Be Informed, Be Curious, Be Heard.'

VotesforSchools offers weekly opportunities for our children to delve into thought-provoking current affairs topics. Before expressing their opinions through comments and votes, children are equipped with relevant knowledge for thoughtful evaluation. These votes are aggregated on a national scale and shared with influential bodies, such as government departments, police, charities, and media outlets. The responses received underscore the significance of the children's voices, emphasising that their votes carry weight and are heard.
 

Beyond its immediate impact, VotesforSchools contributes to the enrichment and advancement of essential elements within the PSHE curriculum. It serves as a valuable tool in fostering whole-school learning, particularly in the realm of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Additionally, it reinforces children's comprehension of British Values.