SMSC

Spiritual development is defined as students: 

• 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. 

Spiritual development is supported in subjects across the curriculum including: 

• Religious Studies, where students explore the Christian faith as well as engaging extensively with other world views and contemporary issues. Big questions are considered, including, ‘What influence do religious traditions have?’, ‘How valuable is human life?’, ‘Where do we come from? Where are we going? ‘, and ‘Can people be good without God?’. More information can be found on the Religious Studies subject curriculum page.  
• History, where students explore topics including the World Wars, Nazi Germany and slavery in History. More information can be found on the History subject curriculum page. 

Recent opportunities to develop spiritual understanding beyond timetabled lessons have been shared on Facebook and through our Headteacher Newsletter.

A sample have included:

• Whole school assemblies for Holocaust Memorial Day including a visit from a member of the Holocaust Centre North team.
• Whole school Remembrance.
• Year 11 Senior Student attendance at the local Howden Remembrance Service and parade.
• Howden Careers Fair.

Moral development is defined as students: 

• The ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries 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 an ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues. 

Moral development is supported through our assemblies, ACE programme and PSHE lessons, where students have opportunities to consider the differences between right and wrong, within the context of our school community and beyond. Themes and activities related to anti-bullying week, Safer Internet week, ‘Black History Week’ and ‘The Story of Malala’.

Recent opportunities to develop their understanding of right and wrong, consequences and moral and ethical issues beyond timetabled lessons have been shared on Facebook and through our Headteacher Newsletter.

A sample have included:

• Whole school assemblies for Holocaust Memorial Day including a visit from a member of the Holocaust Centre North team.
• Grief Awareness Week.
• International Men’s Day Assembly.
• Brake Road Safety Week.
• Anti-Bullying Week.
• National Stammering Awareness Day.
• World Mental Health Day.
• Children’s Mental Health Week.
• World Suicide Prevention Day.
• Safer Internet Day.
• Years 7 – 11 Humberside Fire and Road Safety Team road safety assemblies.
• Termly Celebration assemblies and Golden ticket events.

Social development is defined as students:

• Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other students, including those 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; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain. 

Social development is supported through a rich programme of activities which contribute to and strengthen our school culture and understanding of community. Each year, students engage in our School Senate or volunteer at events; they have opportunities to participate in House events and competitions, and in trips and visits.

Opportunities for social development are regularly shared on Facebook and through our Headteacher Newsletter.   

A sample have included: 

• Visiting local primary schools as part of National Reading Aloud Day.
• Weekly House takeover challenges each half-term.
• Weekly attendance rewards.
• Half-termly behaviour rewards and a larger attendance rewards competition.
• Half-termly celebration assemblies.
• Christmas Cards for the Community initiative.
• Christmas Jumper Day.
• Christmas Dinner Day.
• Will’s Café Food Collection.
• Bespoke school charity, A Shining Light, which uses student volunteers for events such as Santa’s Howden Sleigh Trail.
• Charity cake decorating competitions.
• Revolution Bike Building Workshops.
• Year 11 Mock Interviews Week.
• CanTeam Programme – students reopen the school canteen after hours and cater for selected groups.
• Howden Minster Soup & Carols Event.
• Tiger’s Trust Inspiration Events.
• Student enrolment in the Young Enterprise Scheme.
• Year 9 Employer Encounters with Siemens.
• Team Peru fundraising.
• Bespoke school leadership training day and workshops.
• Active Travel Ambassadors.
• Bite Back School Food Champions.
• Sports Leaders.
• School Support Leaders.
• House Leaders and School Senate Leaders.
• Restart A Heart Day.
• Cycle To School Week.
• Howden Career’s Fair.
• Year 7 Active Travel Day.
• Modeshift Month.
• Duke of Edinburgh Award.
• Volunteering as part of the Year 5 / 6 Open Evening.
• Volunteering as part of the Year 7 Meet the Team Evening.
• Student Senate & Leadership Interviews and Appointments.
• Annual Trust Learner Conference.

Cultural development is defined as students:

• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those 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, musical, 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.

At Howden, students explore and have opportunities to experience cultural influences, different faiths and groups, as well as learning about Britain’s democracy and its role in our society. Our students can participate in a range of visits which each include cultural opportunities.  Creative and performing arts and sporting opportunities are also plentiful with large numbers taking up the opportunity.

News stories sharing other opportunities that support aspects of cultural development include:

• Boys and girls competing in regional and national school football competitions.
• Creation of a school darts team.
• Partnership with Howden Rotary Club to launch the Howden History Essay Competition.
• Annual London Cultural Visit.
• Artist visit from Daniel Mitchell.
• A week’s involvement with UK Parliament Week.
• Theatre trips.
• GCSE Poetry Workshops.

As a school, we recognise the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We understand the important role we play in ensuring that groups and individuals can live together now and in the future in a cohesive way. 

The government set out its definition of British Values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These values include:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

We are committed to preparing our students for life beyond school and through our mission, our values and our SMSC work, promoting British Values to all.