Social, Moral, Spiritual & Cultural development at Cupernham Junior School

We are incredibly proud of the broad, diverse and exciting experiences we provide for all our children. At Cupernham Junior School we are committed to delivering a curriculum that develops children’s Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural knowledge, understanding and skills.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

The spiritual development of pupils is shown by their:

• Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values,

• Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them,

• Use of imagination and creativity in their learning,

• Willingness to reflect on their experiences.

At Cupernham Junior School:

• The language of spirituality is taught explicitly through RE, giving children a voice to express themselves in this area,

• We create opportunities to evaluate, discern and challenge views of each other in RE, RSHE as well as geography, history and other subject areas

• We explore different values and beliefs, including those from different religions and cultures through a range of subjects

• We have strong links with the local church and Abbey to provide meaningful religious experiences,

• We encourage a sense of achievement and pride through a number of reward systems,

• We develop the knowledge, skills and attributes for reflection through Building Learning Power

• We encourage self-expression including the development of children’s imagination and creativity across the curriculum, including through reading, writing, and the arts

• We reflect on our own lives and experiences, and those of others, through RSHE, drama and curriculum subjects, 

• Geographical, historical and scientific led integrated units which promote understanding of similarities and differences and a knowledge of the world

• Outdoor learning, within our own grounds and further afield, stimulate a fascination for nature and the world around us, and through our longitudinal studies in science, we observe changes in nature and our immediate environment over time,

• We reflect upon and challenge notions that could constrain the human spirit, for example; indifference, greed, pride, discrimination, etc,

• The Y6 residential trip allows children to discover what they can achieve when they are taken out of their comfort zone.

MORAL DEVELOPMENT

The moral development of pupils is shown by their:

• Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England,

• Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions,

• Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

At Cupernham Junior School :

• We have a clear Code of Conduct that children and staff understand and follow, and help children to develop their own moral code,

• Weekly celebration assemblies reinforce our role models for impeccable behaviour and Building Learning Powers with individual certificates,

• Positive behaviour is rewarded through house points, table points, class rewards

• We have a clear behaviour policy and system. Children understand the expectations of them and the consequences of non-compliance. When poor decisions are made, these are discussed with children who then reflect on their choices,

• Children have the opportunity to express their views on issues and explore citizenship including through the RSHE curriculum. Circle time provides a safe time for children to explore theirs, and others, feelings,

• Fair play and sportsmanship is encouraged through PE, games and extra-curricular clubs,

• Empathy is actively reinforced through BLP

• We consider issues surrounding the misuse of information and the access of personal information, especially in computing,

• Development of children’s understanding of environmental responsibility and national and global citizenship through the taught curriculum and carousel, as well as through keeping up to date on current news stories

• Anti-bullying is actively promoted through assemblies and themed weeks,

• Our ELSA works with targeted pupils to develop an understanding of the viewpoints of others and the difference between right and wrong.

Our school councillors are able to express different viewpoints and consider those of others,

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The social development of pupils is shown by their:

• Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds,

• Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively,

• Acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

At Cupernham Junior School:

• We teach children to work collaboratively with different children, including different ages, with different roles explicitly through Building Learning Power, especially the Relationship skills, and our RSHE curriculum

• We offer opportunities for children to work with other children, adults and the wider community in a range of learning experiences, including sports, music, visits, performances and carousel

• Teamwork, loyalty and support are promoted through sporting opportunities, as well as earning house points, team points and class rewards

• In class, children take on responsibly for tasks that contribute to the collective running of the school (for example, register and coat monitors),

• House Captains, school councillors, eco-warriors, play leaders and play ground buddies provide leadership in a range of social situations,

• School productions and performances bring pupils and their families together in celebration,

• Our work to support local and national causes develops social consciousness,

• The engagement with the fundamental British values is woven within the curriculum and day to day school life,

Our ELSA works with targeted children on developing social skills,

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

The cultural development of pupils is shown by their:

• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those of others,

• Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain,

• Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain,

• Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities,

• Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

At Cupernham Junior School :

• Global and local cultural events are used as a stimulus for learning, for example, the Olympics, Remembrance Sunday,

• Cultures throughout history are studied and explored, such as the beliefs of the Vikings and the Ancient Egyptians,

• Global current affairs are explored through age appropriate new channels (Picture News, Newsround, etc),

• Different religious festivals are celebrated, for example Diwali and Chinese New Year,

• Our intercultural week provides a rich opportunity to explore different culture’s dress, traditions, food, language and songs

• Art and music provides a stimulus for children to reflect on diversity and draw upon for their own works, for example singing songs from Africa, and learning about artists from the Amazon and Turkey

• KS2 children have weekly French lessons to explore and celebrate,

• RE units that develop an understanding of the Hindu and Jewish cultures, as well as PSHE units focusing on celebrating differences are taught in every year group

• DT cooking units explore the influences of culture on foods from different countries for example India.