At Ormiston NEW Academy, we embrace a holistic approach to education that extends beyond mere academic achievements. We foster a supportive atmosphere where values like self-esteem, respect, independence, and responsibility are paramount. Our academy encourages students to engage in creative and critical thinking, promoting innovation and problem-solving while sparking their curiosity about the world around them. As students’ progress in their educational journeys, we are dedicated to enhancing their academic success alongside their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural awareness, seamlessly integrating these elements into our curriculum to nurture the development of the ‘whole child.’
The incorporation of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) values is essential to our school’s identity, with ample opportunities for reinforcement through assemblies, tutor sessions, and various extracurricular activities. Our committed staff at Ormiston NEW Academy exemplify positive behaviour and celebrate each student’s uniqueness. They show respect not only for the learners but also for their families, cultivating a supportive and inclusive community that enriches the educational experience for all. Our ethos shapes both our academic curriculum and our broader personal development initiatives.
A Snapshot: We Champion SMSC at NEWA through our:
- Annual Foodbank appeals and links with the “Secret Angels” foodbank
- Recognition and Celebration of religious days and festivals such as Diwali
- Variety of themed assemblies led by both staff and students
- Regular inter house events and competitions
- Involvement in significant calendar events such as world book day
- Fundraising initiatives
- Wide range of extracurricular activities and events
- Trip and visit opportunities
- Student leadership program
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- Academy football program
- Visits from external providers
- Engagement in OAT competitions
- Praise and celebrations awards
SMSC in the Curriculum
Due to our commitment to SMSC it would be impossible to list all the instances of SMSC in each curriculum area, but HERE provides a few examples of the SMSC experiences that students at NEWA receive.
Impact
The spiritual development of our students 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.
The moral development of our students 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.
The social development of our students is shown by their:
- 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.
The cultural development of our students is shown by their:
- Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
- 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 artistic, sporting 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 socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.