The Hidden Curriculum

– By Chrissy Vesey, Teacher of Sociology & ECT Induction Tutor 

“The SMMA Way” is the name we give to our school culture. Calling it that might sound a little unusual at first, but it quickly becomes a really helpful shorthand. It captures what we value as an Academy and gives everyone — staff and students — a shared way of talking about how we all do things here.

Having that shared language really matters. It means we’re all on the same page, and new staff and pupils quickly see and feel that life at SMMA is distinctive. There’s a clear sense of what we stand for and what’s expected, and that consistency helps create a strong, recognisable culture.

The SMMA Way is introduced explicitly. Just as with Year 7 students, new staff are shown what it means, given clear examples, and supported to understand how it looks in practice. That’s the starting point. What really brings it to life, though, is how everyone models it — teachers, leaders, support staff, facilities, IT — every single person plays a role. It’s often the small, everyday actions that build the culture, all rooted in a shared belief in kindness and respect.

You can see The SMMA Way in action everywhere: in how we speak to each other, how we carry ourselves, and how we all interact across the school day. It’s reflected in the quotes displayed at the school entrance, in the way we celebrate success, and in how we communicate — through briefings, bulletins, and everyday conversations in workrooms and on the playground.

It’s also visible in our shared celebrations — Chinese New Year, the Union Chapel Christmas concert, our annual music and drama productions, sporting successes, and the Exhibition of Beautiful Work, to name just a few. We celebrate and support each other, and all of these small things come together to reinforce a shared way of being.

Our weekly rhythm helps reinforce this. Every Monday starts with a short staff briefing, beginning with Rev Lara sharing a “thought for the week.” It’s a moment of reflection that helps set the tone — it reminds us why we do what we do, the impact we can have, and the importance of looking after each other as well as our students. 

At its heart, The SMMA Way is about both the basics of behaviour and learning, and about how we want people to feel. We want everyone in our community to feel safe, valued, supported, and important. That focus on the whole person is a big part of what makes the culture here feel special. It creates a genuine sense of belonging. At times it can feel busy, stretched, even occasionally hectic — but it’s a really strong community, and we all feel part of it.

Of course, there are times when living out The SMMA Way is challenging. Like any school, there are busy periods and moments when people feel tired. But it’s often the small acts of kindness — the time given to support each other, thoughtful gestures, or simple recognition — that help sustain the culture and bring us back to what matters.

Over time, this way of doing things becomes so normal that you almost stop noticing it. But when you first arrive, or at key moments, it really stands out. Ultimately, it’s about our shared norms and values: how we act, how we treat each other, and how we approach learning. 

The SMMA Way itself is encapsulated in five clear expectations, which we teach and revisit regularly:

• Behave kindly – kindness underpins everything. In every interaction, we aim to be kinder than we need to be, because it matters.

• Respect learning – learning is our core purpose. We protect it, value it, and ensure every student has the right to learn without disruption.

• Strive for 100% attendance – being present and prepared is fundamental. It allows us to support every student fully.

• Engage and persevere – we expect everyone to take part, keep going when it’s challenging, and give their best.

• Take pride in SMMA – we are proud of our community and show this through how we treat each other and represent the school.

These expectations shape everything we do. Through clear teaching, consistent language, and daily modelling, The SMMA Way becomes more than just words. It becomes the lived experience of being part of our school.