Godolphin&Latymer
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
Reviewer: PC / reviewed May 2012 Next review date June 2013
SPIRITUAL, MORAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE GODOLPHIN AND LATYMER SCHOOL Reviewed May 2012 (PC) Next review date: June 2013 (PC) Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is concerned with the girls’ selfknowledge, esteem, confidence, awareness and understanding of moral issues. Developing their ability to relate to others and to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as their contribution to the community and their knowledge of public institutions and services is one of the core aims of the school. That girls develop as individuals and gain an enhanced understanding of themselves within the community of the school, within their families, within society, and their responsibilities as global citizens in the world at large is central to our ethos at The Godolphin and Latymer School. Our aims are that by the time girls leave us at 18, they do so ‘with self respect and self-confidence, and qualities of adaptability, self reliance, independence and sound judgement’, that they ‘respect and care for others’ and are equipped ‘to become responsible adults and active citizens.’ (cf The Godolphin and Latymer School Aims) How do we put these aims into practice? Examples include: •
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Through assemblies which may have a spiritual or moral tone, or which may involve the celebration of girls’ achievements in any area, or which may showcase girls’ talents in a particular area. Through whole school events which have a spiritual or moral tone which express the collective values of the school, for example, School Birthday Service and the School Birthday celebrations. Through our expectations of girls’ behaviour in relation to themselves and others (see Behaviour Policy). Through lessons. Many subjects provide opportunities for girls’ awareness and experience of spiritual, moral, social and cultural education to be developed. It would be inappropriate to list subjects as the majority offer the possibility of enhancing girls’ awareness. We, as teachers, have a responsibility to make the most of these opportunities in our lessons (see Schemes of Work of individual subjects). Through workshops and presentations, both those in-house in origin or given by visitors to the school. These may be in cross-curricular days, afternoons, shorter lectures or speaker events, the Sixth Form supercurricular programme, etc. Through our PSHE programme which runs throughout the school and which includes careers guidance and careers education. Through all aspects of the extra-curricular programme including performance opportunities, visits and trips, especially those of a residential nature. Team building and bonding days at the start of each section of the school also enhance aspects of girls’ personal development and link to their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Holidays for example, the skiing visit, the Sinai visit, other residential visits designed to amplify the curriculum, for example, Geography and Biology field courses, Classics and Art Departments visits to Greece, languages
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visits to France, Germany, Spain, Russia, History visits to World War I battlefields, etc. Through the expectation that girls will actively involve themselves in supporting others, for example, the Social Services programme led by a committee of girls (The Social Services Team), the Harvest Festival, the Christmas Tea Party for local elderly residents, the regular Tea Parties for local elderly residents, and a series of opportunities for voluntary work from the LV to the Sixth Form. Through specific events, for example, Harvest Festival, the celebration of festivals of major faiths in assemblies. Through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme offered to girls in year 10 onwards. Through the opportunity to participate in School Council and take part in leadership training days. Through the opportunity to hold posts of responsibility at form level and whole school level. Through the opportunity to participate actively in the school’s moves to become more environmentally aware through the student led Green Team, the class representatives and the whole school committee. Through the many events held in school designed to develop community links and provide enrichment to members of the local community (The Public Lecture Programme, music and choral performances for local residents associations, etc.).
We hope that this wide range of opportunities will allow each girl the chance to develop personally in such a way that she will become a confident and responsible young woman. Reviewer PC / reviewed May 2012 Next review date: June 2013