Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

Here at Unity we believe that SMSC is an essential part of every child’s development.  We work hard to enable our students to develop their self-esteem and self-confidence so that they can play and active role in society as a whole.

Spiritual

The curriculum is designed to allow students to explore their own beliefs and the beliefs of others.  We also encourage students to respect the faiths, feelings and values of others.  This is encouraged through both the RE and PD curriculum but also within a wide range of subjects and activities that take place within and outside of the academy. Activities and trips include visits to Hindu Temples and local churches, visits to Liverpool cathedrals and visiting speakers. 

Students are also encouraged to learn about themselves and their surrounding world and to appreciate their world.  For example our Outdoor Education trips allow students to experience the beauty of nature as well as developing leadership and teamwork.  Within lessons we encourage creativity and reflection as exemplified the work undertaken to commemorate the start of World War 1.

 

      

Moral

It is important that students recognise what is right and what is wrong and we encourage students to take responsibility for their behaviour.  The academy has a strong and clear behaviour for learning system where ‘good behaviours’ are rewarded and negative behaviours are sanctioned. The academy has worked hard to establish consistency with this.  We also have a system of restorative justice which supports students to make amends and develops their ability to modify their behaviour.  Within the curriculum, activities are planned to investigate moral and ethical issues such as the treatment of animals, representation of young people in the media, role models etc.

Social

Within the curriculum opportunities to discuss and think about what is right and wrong and moral issues are referenced within lesson planning and the diverse range of texts studied within the English curriculum provide ample opportunities for discussion and moral development.  The school council play an active role in the life of the school.  The council is comprised of elected members of the school who represent their years and phases.  The Senior Prefect Team show leadership in their duties around the school, including helping to supervise lunch and break.  They also provide positive role models for younger students.   Within PE lessons leadership skills are developed and all students will participate in outdoor education activities to develop their team working and leadership skills.  

The academy prides itself in developing a culture of good manners and respect and encourages politeness. We are also proud of our students’’ achievements and celebrate these. 

The school also has a SEAL mentor who supports students overcome social barriers.  Life coaches are also made available to students to develop confidence and decision making.

The academy also involves itself with various fundraising activities including Teenaged Cancer Trust, Cancer Research, Children in Need, and Save the Children amongst others.  Involvement in fundraising often highlights social and global issues and encourages students to be aware of what is happening in our society and wider afield.

Cultural

The academy believes in allowing students to have access to a wide range of cultural activities.  These include trips to musical performances and the theatre as well as museums and exhibitions. We take part in the local Youth Parliament elections and have the current YPM for Blackpool in Year 11.  The academy has also taken part in the Blackpool Teenage Summit to discuss issues relevant to young people in Blackpool.  We also recognise that we are a multi-cultural school in a multi- cultural Britain and celebrate this diversity by including aspects of these varying cultures within lessons. This includes child led topics based on the countries of some of our EAL students.  The academy also has a rich and varied programme of extra-curricular activities including sports teams, environment clubs, chess, cheerleading and music.

 

SMSC Trips & Events since September 2013

Trips

Involvement

In school activities

Fleetwood Maritime Museum

Anti-Bullying training

Environment Walk

Museum of Lancashire

Dance performances

Rock gardens

Preston Grasshoppers

Pleasure Beach Masterclass

Neighbourhood walk

Birmingham Skills Show

Spelling Bee

Mugenkyo Drumming

Blackpool Dungeons

Acts of Kindness Celebration

Spellbinder

Motionhouse Performance

Dance Festival

Mr Consequence

Ribchester Roman Museum

Blackpool Christmas Music

Richard McCann

Drumming Masterclass

Fit2Go programme

Careers SLD

Liverpool World Museum

Fairtrade Convention

Harvest Festival

Careers Convention

Young Engineers Competition

Travelling by Tuba

Manchester Museum of Egypt

Hair and Beauty taster day

Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Manchester Museum of Science and Industry

WE Day at Wembley

Children’s University Graduation

GCSE French Conference

Construction taster day

Quantum Theatre Visit

Skills NW

Boccia competition

The Music Show

University of Cumbria

Headstart consultation

Fire and Rescue Service visit

Layton Station

Swimming  gala

Christmas Jumper Day

Violin shop

Bard’s Birthday Bash

Children In Need

Space Centre

Football festival

Teenage Cancer Trust Day

Imperial Hotel

Climbing Wall

Relationships SLD

Evacuee experience

Hackpool programming event

Barn Owl Bill

St Stephen’s Church

River Wyre

Hattie Keane performance

Imperial War Museum

Youth Games

Phase 2 Careers Event

Normandy

Peer Mentoring

Road Safety

Visit to MP’s office

Music Technology trip

Visit of prospective MP

Liverpool cathedrals

Sustainability Conference

Remembrance Day events

Going to the Flicks

Make it Count

Urban Strawberry Lunch

Fylde Sinfonia

Teenagers Summit

Nativity

Planetarium trip

Gazette Education Awards

Learn2Succeed Day

Gruffalo Theatre trip

Schools Alive Performance

British Transport Police

Knowsely Safari Park

 

LiveNLearn Day

Singleton Maze

 

Balloon Challenge

Alton Towers

 

Phase Council meetings

Madam Tussauds

 

School Council Meetings

Manchester Fire Museum

 

 

Blackpool Zoo

 

 

Grand Theatre

 

 

Town Hall trip

 

 

Christmas Physics Lecture

 

 

Visit to Hindu Temple

 

 

Lytham Windmill trip

 

 

Water Park (Outdoor Ed)

 

 

Helm Cragg

 

 

Leighton Moss

 

 

Tower Wood

 

 

Brockholes Nature Reserve

 

 

Orienteering

 

 

Rock and River

 

 

 

Extra-Curricular Activities