Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Education
On this page we explain what we mean by spiritual, moral, social and cultural education (SMSC) at Harris Invictus Academy Croydon, and how we approach teaching it.
What we mean by SMSC
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education covers the following areas.
- Spiritual - exploring beliefs and experience; respecting values; discovering oneself and the surrounding world; using imagination and creativity; reflecting.
- Moral - recognising right and wrong; understanding consequences; investigating moral and ethical issues; offering reasoned views.
- Social - using social skills in different contexts; working well with others; resolving conflicts; understanding how communities work.
- Cultural - appreciating cultural influences; participating in cultural opportunities; understanding, accepting, respecting and celebrating diversity.
Tutorial Programme (SMSC tasks)
As part of our tutorial programme we have a weekly SMSC task in which all students in the academy take part. Topics cover an extensive range of subjects which develop students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding, including politics, media and religion.
Information is presented without bias, challenging students to discuss and debate issues taking place across the world as well as in Britain. Students are encouraged to interrogate the moral, cultural, spiritual and social aspects of the world around them. They develop a balanced point of view and empathy for those in the wider and local environment.
Assemblies
Assemblies at Harris Invictus Academy Croydon foster a sense of enquiry and interest in a range of religious, spiritual, moral, social, cultural and wider life issues, and provide clear guidance on what is right and wrong.
They link to the weekly SMSC tutor activity and are themed around current affairs, global and local issues and key aspects of the SMSC curriculum which are relevant to our context.
Each assembly encourages a sense of community and loyalty to the Hub and the Academy underpinned by a community spirit, a common ethos and shared values. Each week offers the opportunity of a public platform to encourage and celebrate individual and collective successes.
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2024 – 2025 Assemblies |
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2 Sept 2024 |
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Welcome Back |
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9 Sept 2024 |
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World Afro Day |
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16 Sept 2024 |
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Student Leadership |
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23 Sept 2024 |
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European Day of Languages |
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30 Sept 2024 |
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Black History Month |
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7 Oct 2024 |
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World Mental Health Day |
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14 Oct 2024 |
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Safeguarding - Malicious Communication |
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4 Nov 2024 |
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National Stress Awareness Week |
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11 Nov 2024 |
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Anti Bullying Week (Make a Noise) |
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18 Nov 2024 |
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Charity Focus/ Islamophobia Awareness Month |
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25 Nov 2024 |
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White Ribbon Day |
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2 Dec 2024 |
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Charity Focus |
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9 Dec 2024 |
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Tree of Hope |
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16 Dec 2024 |
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World Aids Day/Celebration Assemblies |
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6 Jan 2025 |
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Welcome Back |
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13 Jan 2025 |
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Online safety |
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20 Jan 2025 |
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Holocaust Memorial Day |
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27 Jan 2025 |
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CCE/Gangs |
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3 Feb 2025 |
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LGBT History Month |
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10 Feb 2025 |
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International Day of Women and Girls in Science |
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24 Feb 2025 |
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Charity Focus/ World Book Day |
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3 Mar 2025 |
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World Book Day/ International Women's Day |
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10 Mar 2025 |
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International Women’s Day/ Pi Day |
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17 Mar 2025 |
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Pi Day/ Neurodiversity Celebration Week |
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24 Mar 2025 |
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Neurodiversity Celebration Week/ Women's History Month |
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31 Mar 2025 |
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Celebration Assemblies |
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21 April 2025 |
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Welcome Back |
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28 April 2025 |
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Local History Month |
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5 May 2025 |
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Charity Focus |
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12 May 2025 |
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Mental Health Awareness Week |
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19 May 2025 |
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World Day for Cultural Diversity |
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26 May 2025 |
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Safeguarding |
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2 June 2025 |
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Pride Month |
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9 June 2025 |
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Healthy Eating Week |
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16 June 2025 |
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Windrush Day |
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23 June 2025 |
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Refugee Awareness Week |
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30 June 2025 |
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Charity Focus |
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7 July 2025 |
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Inclusion and Sport |
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14 July 2025 |
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Summer Safety |
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21 July 2025 |
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Celebration Assemblies |
Engaging with the local community
Work experience - students in Year 10 develop a range of skills related to the world of work when they participate in Work Experience. Students are given positions in the local and wider community in order to gain valuable social skills and experience of the world around them.
Guest speakers - visiting speakers to the Academy enable our students to gain first-hand knowledge of charities and businesses in the local community.
Celebrations open to the public - our very popular musicals and Rewards Evenings are open to members of the public to attend, forging social and community engagement.
Enrichment programme
Our enrichment programme provides extra-curricular activities designed to be fun and enhance our students’ experience at the Academy. Our students extend their learning beyond that of the standard curriculum in an environment that caters for and challenges all. They develop a range of essential skills that will help them become active, enterprising and well-rounded individuals. Students are expected to attend at least one enrichment activity on a weekly basis each term where they will enjoy a range of fun activities in a social setting.
Student leadership
Student Leadership is the individual and collective perspective and actions of young people within the context of learning and education at Harris Invictus Academy Croydon. Students vote for their form representatives and apply for student leadership roles across the Academy. Our young people are empowered to give their opinions and suggestions on Academy life in an open, democratic, secure and constructive way.
Religious Education and Philosophy
The curriculum for Religious Education (RE) and Philosophy is broad and well-balanced, promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of students, and helping to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Our RE themes involve respect, self-esteem, appreciation and wonder and open-mindedness. We offer a balanced approach to students’ religious education which is broadly Christian, but encompasses all major faiths.
