Spiritual Moral Social Cultural

Learning at

Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Spiritual Development

The Spiritual development of our 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.
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This can be seen in our school through:

• Our School Mission Statement: “We inspire out children to achieve personal excellence for themselves and the Glory of God.” Our children actively try to live out this mission statement daily.
• Our Creative Curriculum is exciting and engaging, providing many opportunities for awe and wonder with their WOW starts and enrichment opportunities. (eg. Year 3 had exotic animals visiting the school for their topic Predators, Year 2 visited the beach for their Beachcombers topic, our Forest School experiences)

• Prayer life of our school: weekly pupil-led Collective Acts of Worship; weekly scripture assemblies, class assemblies, class liturgies and celebrations.
• Regularly receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist in Key Stage 2 and the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent.
• Religious Education lessons seek to deepen our children’s understanding of their faith through use of Scripture and what we can learn from the life of Jesus.
• Catholic Life of Our School evidence and pupil books give an insight into the spiritual development of our children.
• Through learning about Other Faiths, we foster a sense of equality, of brotherly and sisterly love. Visits to other places of worship, and visitors.

Moral Development

The moral development of our pupils is shown by their:

• ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives 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 being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues

This can be seen in our school through:

• The outstanding behaviour of our pupils.
• Through our positive behavior policy, which relates to ‘Good and Bad choices’.
• A host of mental health and well-being programmes for those that require it (eg. nurture group)
• Our Curriculum offers vast opportunities to reflect on ones behavior, to debate moral and ethical issues. As well as Religious Education and PSHE, in History lessons focus on Civil Rights during Black history month, Year 2 discussed the effect of Plastic on the ocean on their Beach trip.
• The children find our about inspirational people from history including Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela, whilst debating ethical issues.
• We work closely with local public service workers (including the police and fire brigade) teaching pupils to respect the work that they do and developing an understanding that we live under the rule of law for the protection of all. This work includes safety workshops, a mobile phone talk for Year 6 and the Community Police visit together with the Fire Brigade visits.
• Pupils investigate stories with morals and ethical issues through their RE lessons, collective worship and debates in English (eg Charlotte's Web - animal welfare, London Eye Mystery: Mental Health). They are encouraged to give reasoned views and to appreciate the viewpoints of others. 

Social Development

The Social development of our pupils is shown by:

• use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils 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; the pupils develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

This can be seen in our school through:

• Our Creative Curriculum, such as Fabulous finales, grandparents tea party.
• Eco-councils in the community.
• Mini Vinnies work (hospitals, fundraising, Irish Chaplaincy link)
• Participation in Music festivals (St Barnabus, Westminster Chorister, African drums)
• Year 4 children writing to the elderly, Choir singing at Home for the Elderly.
• Trained TA’s support children to develop their social skills and apply these to a range of different context. Eg lego therapy.
• Playground leaders support KS1 at lunchtimes.
• Our worry boxes.
• School Trips and visitors to the school
• Events and activities run by ‘The Friends’, such as our annual Christmas and Summer Fair.
• Weekly Celebration Assembly.
• The democratic election of School Council members, eco council, Head Boy and Girl at the beginning of the school year.
• Our Before and After School Club.

Cultural Development

The Cultural Development of our pupils is shown by:

• We celebrate each other's cultural identities and teach children to value their own cultural heritage and develop a positive, personal identity and to show respect for other people's values and beliefs.
• 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 a range of artistic, musical, sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific 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 socioeconomic groups in the local, national and global communities.

This can be seen in our school through:

• Our diverse school community and the positive way our children interact with one another.
• Our Creative Curriculum provides meaningful opportunities for the children to learn about people from history, different cultures and backgrounds. For example Year 4 learn about parliament, Literacy books linked to cultures.
• Learning about Social Justice ‘Laudato Si Care of our Common Home’. We spend time thinking about our pledge.
• One World Week each year features a fabulous celebration of the different cultures within our school. with every child coming dressed to school in either their national costume or that of another country. Parents are invited to come into their child’s class to share stories, music, dancing or art from their country of origin.
• Involvement with the SWAT (Sikh Welfare & Awareness Team) charity.
• Celebrating the attitudes, values and traditions of diverse cultures (Geography, RE, History, Literacy, Library, Assembly, Art, Dance, Music, Celebrating festivals and drawing on diverse parent cultural backgrounds) African Drums Workshops.
• Recognising and nurturing particular gifts and talents (Local events with other schools, singing at Westfield, O2)
• Developing partnerships with outside agencies and individuals to extend pupil's cultural awareness (links with drama, music and dance groups, links with the National Portrait Gallery, Hounslow Library, Music Workshops)
• We actively seek out opportunities to use visits and visitors to support our teaching and learning. (School Council to Parliament, RNLI visit, Year 2 Local History Visitor)
• Our KS2 pupils learnt to sing hymns/songs in other languages for their Christmas carol concert. Our pupils are given many opportunities to participate in artistic, sporting and cultural activities.
• The wide array of trips to museums, galleries and theatres support learning and promote cultural development.