Learning together
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC)
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development is at the heart of life at Crofton Hammond Infant School. We are committed to nurturing thoughtful, respectful and resilient young learners who understand themselves, value others and contribute positively to their community. Our approach is underpinned by our school values of Respect, Resilience and Curiosity, which guide children’s attitudes, behaviours and relationships across the school. These values work hand‑in‑hand with our behaviour expectations, Be Safe, Be Ready and Be Kind, creating a consistent, positive culture for learning and personal growth.
SMSC is woven throughout our curriculum, daily routines and wider school experiences, ensuring children develop the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours they need to thrive. Our approach is strengthened through our Personal Development Learning (PDL) curriculum, supported by the SCARF framework (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship). SCARF provides a values‑based structure that promotes kindness, respect, emotional wellbeing and positive relationships — key elements that underpin spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Spiritual development is nurtured through opportunities for reflection, curiosity and wonder. Children explore ideas and concepts through Philosophy for Children (P4C), stories, nature experiences and creative activities that help them make sense of the world and their place within it. Moral development is supported through discussions about right and wrong, fairness and responsibility. SCARF’s focus on values and decision‑making helps children understand the impact of their actions and develop a strong sense of integrity.
Social development is promoted through collaborative learning, play, teamwork and our emphasis on building positive relationships. Children learn how to communicate respectfully, resolve conflicts and support one another. Our Bounce emotional literacy programme further strengthens children’s ability to recognise and manage their feelings, contributing to healthy social interactions.
Cultural development is enriched through celebrations, themed days, stories from diverse cultures and opportunities to learn about the wider world. Events such as ‘Red, White and Blue Day’, visits from community organisations and links to national initiatives help children appreciate diversity and understand the values that shape modern Britain.
Across the school, SMSC is not taught in isolation. Through our curriculum, assemblies, behaviour expectations, safeguarding education and strong home‑school partnerships, we aim to ensure every child develops the confidence, compassion and curiosity to flourish both now and in the future.
Have a look at our Sway to see some of the ways we develop spiritual, moral, social and cultural learning at our school.