What is SMSC?
All schools are required to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils across the curriculum. 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.
See paragraph 237 of the School Inspection Handbook.
SMSC statutory requirements
You're probably already meeting SMSC requirements through things such as your PSHE or whole-school curriculum.
You’re required to:
- Promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils
- Prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life
See paragraph 237 of the School Inspection Handbook, linked above.
How is SMSC inspected?
Under the Ofsted framework, inspectors will assess the effectiveness of SMSC provision and use this to inform their judgement for personal development.
Spiritual development Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious
