At St Anselm’s, we are dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming community where children are encouraged to be kind, respectful, and motivated individuals who will grow into active and responsible members of society. Our curriculum is designed to support this goal, offering a rich variety of opportunities for students to learn, play, and experience life together. We place great emphasis on cultural activities and on helping our pupils connect with people from different ages, backgrounds, and faiths, fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of the world around them.

We believe that personal development—spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally—is key to a child’s ability to thrive and succeed. At St Anselm’s, we strive to provide an education that helps pupils explore and strengthen their faith, values, and beliefs, while also promoting high standards of personal behaviour, a caring attitude towards others, and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and world traditions.

Every subject in our curriculum contributes to a child’s overall development, and we ensure that opportunities for spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) growth are embedded throughout their learning experience.

We follow the Ofsted guidelines for outstanding SMSC provision, which includes:

Spiritual Development:

• Encouraging reflection on personal beliefs (religious or otherwise) and life perspectives
• Respecting the values, feelings, and faiths of others
• Inspiring curiosity about oneself, others, and the world
• Fostering creativity and imagination in learning
• Promoting self-reflection and insight from experiences

Moral Development:

• Helping pupils understand right from wrong and apply it in their lives, respecting civil and criminal law
• Encouraging awareness of the impact of their actions and behavior
• Cultivating thoughtful discussions about moral and ethical issues, while appreciating others’ viewpoints

Social Development:

• Building a range of social skills for different settings, including interaction with peers from diverse backgrounds
• Promoting participation in communities, teamwork, volunteering, and effective conflict resolution
• Teaching respect for British values like democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance, enabling students to positively contribute to modern society

Cultural Development:

• Fostering appreciation for the cultural influences shaping their heritage and that of others
• Expanding understanding of various cultures, both locally and globally, as part of preparing for life in modern Britain
• Encouraging recognition of shared values across different communities
• Teaching about Britain’s democratic system and its role in shaping our history and future
• Providing opportunities to engage in artistic, musical, sporting, and cultural experiences
• Promoting respect for cultural and religious diversity, while encouraging inclusive attitudes towards all groups in local, national, and global communities

For more details on how SMSC is integrated across the curriculum, please visit our subject pages.