SMSC, Collective Worship & Religious Education

SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural)

Carshalton Boys Sports College believes the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students is as important as the pursuit of academic excellence. This is reflected in the work that we do every day.

However, we also have a curriculum programme and programme of events that explicitly addresses the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our students. This programme is outlined below.

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

All students study philosophical, religious and ethical issues (PRE) over the course of a two year KS3 program and have the option to pursue it at GCSE.  Particular attention is paid to ‘ultimate questions’, concepts of deity, religious and non-religious lifestyles and how to apply a number of philosophical, spiritual and religious world views to ethical issues in modern society. These questions are also tackled from different angles in the sociology and psychology courses that run in KS4 and KS5.

In addition pupils in the upper school receive supplementary PRE conference days with external guest speakers to ensure they continue studying religious education.  Meanwhile a specialised ethics programme is delivered to the 6th form who study the issue of animal rights in depth.

The school also has a well-established relationship with Bishop Andrew's Church. The vicar of the church often delivers specialist lessons and assemblies most notably on the importance of Easter.

For further information PRE click here.

Citizenship and PSHCE

Citizenship is studied by all students at Key Stage 3. It aims to gives young people the opportunity to learn about how their society works and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to play a positive role in their communities. CBSC is committed to helping its students become active, informed and responsible citizens who have the confidence and conviction to participate effectively in public life.

Students study units on democracy and political literacy, rights and responsibilities, Britishness and identity, justice and the legal system. During KS3 students have had the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament, City Hall and take part in the First Give Project. This project encourages students to investigate and support charities that deal with social issues in the local community.

Citizenship has led to active student participation in local campaigns to improve our community. They have worked to help improve road safety in the local area – crossing created outside school, current campaign for a crossing at the junction of Waltham Road and Green Wrythe Lane, and students canvassed public opinion as part of the Hackbridge courtesy crossing consultation accounting for a quarter of the responses received by the council. Students were also involved in the Sutton youth services review last year.

Also taught alongside Citizenship is PSHCE, which aims to ensure young people grow up to adopt healthy, safe and fulfilling lives. Students learn about healthy lifestyles choices, emotional health and well-being, the workplace and financial literacy.

All boys receive a fortnightly PSHCE lesson with their form tutor on Gold Friday period 1 for Year 7 through to Year 11. The Year 7-10 programme of study is set out below. Year 11 follow an exam focused programme and Years 12 and 13 a programme specific to KS5 as put in place by the Director of 6th Form.

In addition to this, workshops with specialist speakers are organised for all year groups at different times throughout the year. These focus on specific age-appropriate issues such as anxiety, mental health, e-safety, drugs and alcohol, safe driving, and sexual relationships.

For further information on PSHCE click here.

Assembly Programme

Pupils receive regular assemblies whilst these are non-denominational school assemblies they reflect British values and ethics that, on the whole, are Christian in character which reinforce moral and/or spiritual elements. These take the form of, upper school, lower school, year group and termly house assemblies.

Themes for the upper school and lower school assemblies are set a term in advance. This is to allow flexibility to reflect on and cover changing international, national and local news and events that impact on us and our wider community.

For further information on assemblies click here.

Life in Modern Britain (News Day Tuesday)

This academic year has seen a new project launched with the purpose of encouraging our students to better connect with the wider world and inspire reflection on their place in it.  This has been through a short presentation in each Tuesday registration period on a theme from the news or appropriate to that week.

For further information on Life in Modern Britain click here.

Visiting Speakers

In recent months the relatives of Holocaust survivors, authors, scientists, engineers, Paralympic athletes, historians and two serving MP’s to debate Brexit have visited the school and given talks to key stages, year teams and small groups.

School Visits

Students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of school visits which complement their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and support them in accessing the curriculum. These range from visits to the national and regional government buildings, museums, galleries, theatres and concert halls of London to residential trips in European capitals.

Hardship funds support all students in accessing these opportunities and analysis of data helps us ensure trip provision is equitable.

The School Council (POWER)

POWER (Pupil Opportunity With Everyone Represented) is the elected school council. It gives representation to the students’ voice so as to give feedback of views, ideas and concerns to their tutor groups and to the senior leadership team.

For further information on CBSC POWER click here.