ABSTRACT
One of the key aims for all pupils, but particularly for children in the early years, is their personal and social development. Government has highlighted this. In Circular 1/94 it was noted that insufficient attention has been explicitly given to spiritual, moral and cultural aspects of pupils’ development, and there can be little doubt that this observation led to its high profile in the subsequent inspection process. The Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) education of pupils is one of the four areas identified for inspection under the 1992 Education (Schools) Act, and its importance in the inspection process is reflected in that it forms a major section of the report and is included in the Main Findings and therefore in the Summary Report for Parents.
