SMSC

We nurture pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural growth through daily life and learning. 

At Thrapston Primary School, we are committed to supporting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of every child. SMSC is not a standalone subject—it’s a vital part of our school ethos and is embedded across our curriculum, assemblies, behaviour expectations, and wider school life. 

What is SMSC? 

According to the Department for Education, SMSC development means helping pupils to: 

• Develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence 
• Distinguish right from wrong and respect the law 
• Accept responsibility for their behaviour and contribute positively to society 
• Appreciate and respect their own and others’ cultures 
• Understand and support democracy, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance  

How We Promote SMSC at Thrapston 

We provide a wide range of opportunities for children to grow in all four areas of SMSC: 

• Spiritual: Through reflection, creativity, and exploring beliefs and values in RE and assemblies. 
• Moral: By learning about fairness, justice, and making good choices in PSHE and everyday interactions. 
• Social: Through teamwork, collaboration, and taking on roles of responsibility like school council. 
• Cultural: By learning about different cultures, traditions, and celebrating diversity through themed days, music, and art. 

While subjects like PSHE and Religion and World Views naturally lend themselves to SMSC, we also promote it through our behaviour expectations, school values, and the way we treat one another every day. 

At Thrapston, SMSC is about helping children become thoughtful, respectful, and active citizens—ready to make a positive difference in the world.