All schools are required to enable pupils to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally.

SMSC is not taught as a subject, like RE, but is a whole school approach. Although pupils are not assessed individually, the school is assessed by OFSTED on how well it is doing in SMSC development.

A Prayer Space in School can make a significant contribution to good SMSC provision. To quote from the assessment criteria, we know from experience that many pupils find a space to express their “beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s feelings and values” and that they derive a great “sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them, including the intangible.”

Download this document for more information and examples of the way that Prayer Spaces in Schools can connect with SMSC.

We have also conducted research into the impact of prayer spaces on the spiritual development of children and young people. For more information, including downloadable reports, see our research page.