Preparation for life in modern Britain

In supporting our intent to prepare students for life in modern Britain, The Triple Crown Centre recognises the immense importance of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC), alongside the promotion of fundamental British values (see British values statement and how these are promoted through specific subject areas).

SMSC encompasses personal development across the curriculum.

The Triple Crown Centre recognises that promoting SMSC contributes to improving the life chances of our students by raising aspirations, developing empathy, deepening spirituality, connecting young people with their communities, developing their core values and enabling wise and appropriate choices.

Students’ spiritual development is shown by students’:

Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
Knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values
Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
Use of imagination and creativity in their learning
Willingness to reflect on their experiences

Students’ moral development is shown by students’:

Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives
Recognising of legal boundaries and, in doing so, respecting the civil and criminal law of England
Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues

Students’ social development is shown by students’:

Use of a range of social skills in different contexts e.g. working and socialising with other students, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
Acceptance of, and engagement with, the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Developing and demonstrating skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in, and contribute positively to, life in modern Britain

Students’ cultural development is shown by students’:

Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield, as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
Ability to recognise and value the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for, different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept and respect diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very much integral to the life of our school and embedded in all opportunities to experience and learn.

Some of the ways in which The Triple Crown centre promotes SMSC includes:

Our commitment to a growth mindset culture of resilience, hard-work, determination and responsibility; instilling challenging expectations and the belief that we can achieve them
Recognising and developing the potential of each and every individual, irrespective of their starting point, and championing achievement for all in its widest sense
Our stipulation that everyone is treated equally and respectfully
School policies (e.g. Behaviour, Anti-Bullying) that reflect a clear moral code as a basis for behaviour, fairness and consequences for operating outside the accepted rule system
Encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions
Our reward system and half-termly celebratory events to share and acknowledge success and improvements in all aspects of school life
Having an open and safe learning environment, in which students can express their views and practise moral decision-making
Each student having an Achievement Mentor who provides specific 1:1 support and guidance for all aspects of personal development, behaviour and attitudes and who students can trust and talk to about both school and their life outside The Triple Crown Centre
Liaising closely with a range of outside agencies to ensure our young people have the additional support they need
A comprehensive PSHE programme of learning for all students
SMSC as a fundamental aspect of lessons across the curriculum, as identified in subject units of learning. This includes specific aspects of a subject’s curriculum, but also teaching and learning strategies
Debating and discussion activities
Opportunities to share and respond to personal beliefs
Promoting the use of imagination and creativity
Encouraging students to relate their learning to a wider frame of reference – e.g. ‘why?’, ‘how?’
Valuing students’ own questions
Enabling students to make connections between aspects of their learning
Formative assessment, to ensure that students have ownership and understanding of where they are in their learning, where they need to get to and how
Extended learning opportunities for students to engage in outside lessons, to promote independent learning skills
Weekly whole school assemblies, which encourage students to reflect and learn from reflection
Achievement Mentor delivered sessions in groups, to allow for discussion and the sharing of views in relation to a wide range of social, moral and cultural issues
Student voice questionnaires and surveys that ensure all students have a voice that is listened to
Our School Council that allows for opinions to be heard through democracy
Democratically elected School Council representatives who feedback views, ideas and concerns to their peers and to the Headteacher
Students leading and organising whole school events, e.g. charity fundraising, where they experience leadership and responsibility
Displays around the school that reinforce our school values – e.g. British values display, showcase students’ work, expressing individual talents and promoting a sense of pride in achievement and demonstrate imagination and creativity
Visitors in to school to support us. Examples include Riverside Drama Group, Loudmouth Theatre Company, Umbrella, STEM ambassadors, Virgin Atlantic WE Schools, Dog’s Trust
Student visits – e.g. to workplaces, post-16 colleges, sporting venues, national events such as WorldSkills UK and The Big Bang Fair at the NEC
Our whole school weekly ‘Friday Quiz’, where students experience working co-operatively with staff and each other; whilst also gaining knowledge about, and understanding of, the world we live in
The championing of an appreciation of Art through, for example, visits to galleries, print workshops at Birmingham School of Art, artist workshops in school, mindfulness through Art sessions, half-termly art competitions, displays of students’ work, students working towards the nationally recognised ‘Arts Award’, additional KS4 Art sessions after school
Solihull Music Service delivering weekly music sessions on Tuesday mornings, which promotes a huge range of social skills, including self-confidence when students perform for others both in and outside school
Opportunities for students to socialise with each other informally at break and lunchtimes
Our commitment to Solihull’s ‘Life Ready’ programme, supporting our students to develop the skills, knowledge and dynamism to meet the needs of future employees and make a positive contribution to the local and wider economic communities
Work experience for all Year 10 students, promoting an understanding of the world of work, whilst also developing self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence; co-operative working, communication, problem-solving and adaptability skills