Hayley McDonnell

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development Specialist to deliver training and development to staff reveals how SMSC can be embedded in all parts of the curriculum.

With over 20 years teaching, leading and management experience in Grammar schools throughout the North West of England, Hayley decided to move into this niche area offering bespoke consultancy, training courses, resources and on-line support in SMSC.

SMSC provides a direct link supporting the mental health and well-being of all children. It is inclusive, promotes tolerance respect and equally promotes a sense of purpose and acceptance of the self. There is no expectation for high levels of literacy or numeracy for it to be meaningfully and purposefully completed. It doesn't judge, can't be appraised in an assessment sense, all contributions are valid and move the learner closer to developing their whole self.

It is useful for us all as SMSC helps to develop empathy, deepen spirituality, connect people with communities and develop their core values. It creates opportunities for pupils to learn and develop human virtues and values such as compassion, hope, faith, and forgiveness. All traits needed today more than ever as we are increasingly in the “global village” we now live in – this area of Global Collaboration is vital.

Her mantra is Collaboration ~ Love ~ Community and at the heart means if we work together, we will work towards harmony between people and build stronger communities. Whilst continuing to support our students in school in whichever guise, if SMSC is at the forefront of provision it will mean schools’ contribution to our children’s mental health and well-being has been and will remain a priority.

Hayley has appeared in the Independent Online, has been interviewed on London BBC DriveTime by Eddie Nestor, interviewed on Sky News and had an article published in The Telegraph. In addition she has articles published on Thrive Global. She blogs for two on-line magazines for corporate women with an SMSC focus and is teaching part-time in a local school continuing to develop her professional skills whilst firsthand experience the benefits of inclusive SMSC provision. She is also publishing her first book "The Outstanding world of SMSC in British Education" later in 2020.