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SMSC: requirements and audit

Understand how spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development is defined and what the statutory requirements are. Download our tool to audit your provision.

Last reviewed on 24 March 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 48847
Contents
  1. What is SMSC?
  2. Statutory requirements for SMSC provision
  3. How is SMSC provision inspected?
  4. Audit your SMSC provision
  5. SMSC policies and action plans

What is SMSC?

All schools are required to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils, as explained in paragraph 237 of Ofsted's School Inspection Handbook.

You can do this through specific lessons, for example linked to your personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum, or through your whole-school curriculum activities.

Statutory requirements for SMSC provision

You're probably already meeting the requirements for SMSC provision through your PSHE or whole-school curriculum. 

You’re required to:

  • Promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils
  • Prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life

This is explained in paragraph 237 of Ofsted's School Inspection Handbook (linked above).

How is SMSC provision inspected?

Provision for pupils' development in each of the 4 areas includes pupils developing their