Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
At Sussex Road Primary School, we are committed to developing the whole child. Alongside academic progress, we place great importance on children’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development, helping them grow into thoughtful, respectful and confident young people who contribute positively to our school community and beyond.
SMSC is not taught as a stand‑alone subject. Instead, it is carefully woven through our entire curriculum and daily school life, shaping the way children learn, play, explore and interact with one another. Whether they are reflecting on questions in English, collaborating in PE, investigating the natural world in science or celebrating different cultures in music, children are encouraged to think deeply, act responsibly and appreciate the world around them.
Spiritual Development
Some of the best feedback we get from our children are the shrieks of laughter, the gasps of wonder or the groans when a teacher has to stop reading from their class book. Our curriculum aims to encourage children to explore the world around them and themselves as individuals, to reflect on the thoughts of others, as well as their own. Careful thought goes into ensuring high-quality wider experiences enhance the curriculum. Using our VR headsets, children can walk along the Great Wall of China or explore the oceans as the snail on the whale's tail. Inspired by Monet, Sheffield Park provides the perfect setting for our children to set up their tin of watercolours. Whether it's leaping from treetops, developing metacognition skills in Forest School or hunting for signs of Spring around the local lake, outdoor learning is central to spiritual development at Sussex Road. It's rare the weather keep us indoors.
Moral Development
Restorative conversations are used across Sussex Road, developing our children's understanding of not only 'right' and 'wrong' but also the importance of consequences of actions. With this comes an appreciation of a different perspective or a different point of view. Debating issues, such as the Local Plan, or fictional dilemmas, such as whether Cameron Kelsey should accept his pig heart transplant, ensure our children can listen to the views of others, respect different perspectives and express their own thoughts articulately.
Social Development
One of the highlights of a day at Sussex Road is the high-quality play experiences at lunchtime. Using OPAL as an approach, children of all ages mix on the playground creating their own games, building dens or exploring the STEM area. Play Buddies are trained to interact with pupils of all ages, supporting them to engage with others, strengthening relationships. Our House Captains thrive on the challenge of organising our annual BOTH games - an intra-house sports competition which sees older children lead a range of activities independently. In the classroom, flexible grouping ensures children work with a wide range of peers, developing the social skills required to interact with a variety of children. Events such as Mental Health Week promote mixed age activities, strengthening relationships across the school.
Cultural Development
Our children benefit enormously from the cultural experiences they have. With London on our doorstep, capitalise on the proximity to Tate Modern, the River Thames, the Sky Garden, the Postal Museum and London Central Mosque. Closer to home, we value trips to National Trust properties and grounds, a local farm, Tonbridge School and Tyland Barn. Children in Years 4 and 5 enjoy time at Hindleap Warren where they experience outdoor adventurous activities; Year 5 spend two nights there. In Year 6, we travel to the South East, staying on Dartmoor for four nights where we explore a different county and its coastline. Guests to Sussex Road Primary School enhance our Enquiries, captivate the children, as aspirational role models. Careful thought has been put into the artists, scientists, musicians and authors we learn about, striving to ensure our children feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.
The comprehensive PSHE and RE curriculum is the foundation for our children developing an awareness, understanding, tolerance and respect for different cultures. Visits to the London Central Mosque and local churches bring this learning to life. Assemblies celebrate cultural festivals and give our children the chance to reflect on their own beliefs as well as those of others.