SMSC is spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It is the part of education concerned with the kind of person a student becomes: what they believe, how they treat other people, and how they understand the world beyond their own experience. Alongside it we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. 

This page sets out what we mean by each of those terms. It sits within our wider Personal Development and Wellbeing offer. 

Where it is taught 

SMSC is taught across our school curriculum and directly through Finding My Voice, part of our daily P4 lesson, where students discuss belief, ethics, citizenship and identity and learn to put their own view into words. 

Examples of SMSC across our school curriculum could be; A Year 9 English class arguing about justice in a novel, a Science lesson weighing the ethics of genetic screening, a Geography fieldtrip on the Fal estuary, a Maths lesson tracing ideas back through Islamic scholarship – these are SMSC as much as they are subject teaching.   

Fundamental British Values: I Really Do Matter 

We actively promote the four fundamental British values. At Penryn we teach them through a phrase we want every student to know – I Really Do Matter – so that the values are something students can recall and use, rather than a list on a wall. 

I – Individual Liberty 

Students learn that freedom comes with responsibility. They can say: 

I make my own choices, within the law. 
I respect other people’s right to do the same. 
I take responsibility for my choices. 
I use my freedom to help, not harm. 
I stand up for my right to be myself. 

In practice: real choices made in a safe environment – Year 9 options, careers and pathway planning, clubs and enrichment – alongside online and personal safety education. 

Really – the Rule of Law 

Students learn the difference between school rules, civil law and criminal law. They can say: 

I follow the rules, even when no one is watching. 
I understand that rules apply fairly to everyone. 
I know my rights and responsibilities. 
I report things that are unsafe or unfair. 
I accept fair consequences for my actions. 

In practice: school expectations applied clearly and consistently, visiting speakers including [the police and other agencies], and the study of justice and rights across Humanities, Religious Education and P4. 

Do – Democracy 

Students learn that their voice counts and that it carries an obligation to listen. They can say: 

I listen to other people’s opinions. 
I use my voice and vote when I have the chance. 
I respect fair decisions, even if I disagree. 
I take part in decisions that affect me. 
I know that every voice matters, including mine. 

In practice: Student Council and leadership groups, half-termly community listening through P4, the Big Voice annual survey, [Youth Elections / Voting Voice], and the study of Parliament in Humanities and P4. Students are told what changed as a result. 

Matter – Mutual Respect and Tolerance 

Students learn to value people unlike themselves. They can say: 

I treat everyone with kindness and respect. 
I value people who are different from me. 
I challenge unfairness when I see it. 
I include others, even if they’re not like me. 
I learn from views that differ from mine. 

In practice: respectful debate as a habit in lessons, the study of world religions and worldviews, visits to places of worship and visiting speakers, and anti-bullying and equality work. 

I Really Do Matter. Every lesson. Every voice. Every student. 

Find out more 

How we promote SMSC and British Values through the curriculum – subject by subject  
Personal Development and Wellbeing
Our Vision and Values  
Curriculum