SMSC and Protected Characteristics

What is SMSC?

SMSC stands for:

• Spiritual – exploring beliefs, values, and feelings, and enjoying moments of awe and wonder.

• Moral – learning about right and wrong, and understanding how our actions affect others.

• Social – developing friendships, teamwork skills, and a sense of belonging to our school and wider community.

• Cultural – appreciating and respecting different cultures, traditions, and ways of life.

At our school, we weave SMSC into everything we do. It helps children to grow into confident, respectful, and well-rounded individuals who are ready for the next stage in life.

Why SMSC Matters – In Action at Our School

SMSC is not just taught in lessons – it’s lived every day. For example:

• Spiritual – Children reflect during assemblies, explore big questions in RE, and experience the awe of nature on school trips.

• Moral – Through circle time and PSHE, children discuss fairness, honesty, and kindness, and learn how to make good choices.

• Social – Playtimes, group projects, and after-school clubs help children work as part of a team and support each other.

• Cultural – Children celebrate festivals such as Diwali, Eid, and Christmas, and enjoy themed days exploring different countries and traditions.

This approach prepares our pupils to be respectful, understanding members of a diverse society.

Wrockwardine Wood Infant School & Oakengates Nursery Federation is an inclusive federation where we have a sharp focus on the well-being and achievement of every child. We believe all members of our community are of equal worth.

We believe that the Equality Act provides a framework to support our commitment to valuing diversity, tackling discrimination, promoting equality, and fostering good relationships between people. It also ensures that we continue to tackle issues of disadvantage and underachievement of different groups.

We plan an inclusive curriculum and through teaching we provide children with many opportunities to experience and recognise diversity. We do this through assemblies, stories, art, music, and educational visits, to name just a few. Children learn the value of a diverse and rich cultural society.

Equality Objectives

Equality Policy

Protected Characteristics

We understand the principles of the Equality Act and the work needed to ensure that those with protected characteristics are not discriminated against and are given equality of opportunity.

A protected characteristic under the act covers the groups listed below:

• Age

• Disability

• Race

• Sex (including issues of transgender)

• Gender reassignment

• Maternity and pregnancy

• Religion and belief

• Sexual orientation

• Marriage and Civil Partnership (for employees)

Addressing Prejudice Related Incidents

The Federation is opposed to all forms of prejudice and we recognise that children and young people who experience any form of prejudice-related discrimination may fare less well in the education system.

We provide both our pupils and staff with an awareness of the impact of prejudice in order to prevent any incidents. If incidents do occur, we address them immediately and report them to the Local Authority using their guidance material.

We then provide support for the victim and education for the perpetrator.

Further Information for Parents

• The school collects information on race, disability, and gender with regards to both children and staff, e.g. pupil achievement, attendance, exclusions, and staff training.

• Open evenings and other events which parents, carers, and the community attend are held in an accessible part of the school, and issues such as language barriers are considered.

• The accessibility needs of parents, children, and staff are considered in the publishing and sending out of information.

• We ensure that the whole school community knows about the policy, objectives, and data through the school newsletter, assemblies, staff meetings, and other communications.

• We publish on the school’s website copies of relevant policies and guidance, including those on behaviour, anti-bullying, special educational needs, child protection, and data protection.