PSHE & CITIZENSHIP

The PSHE & Citizenship curriculum encourages pupils to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of democracy, government and law. Pupils will learn about their rights and responsibilities, both as individuals and as part of the wider community, and will explore many of the issues faced by young people – both in and outside of the school environment.

At its core the RSHE and Citizenship curriculum makes a significant contribution towards meeting national expectations surrounding RSE and Health Education. It is also an opportunity to explore careers; a place to understand and learn to adhere to Fundamental British Values and supports the embedding of a whole school leadership focus, particularly civic and moral leadership. GCSE Citizenship is taught to all students as an early entry subject. The RSHE and Citizenship curriculum provides an opportunity to develop real cultural capital, specifically through the understanding of Politics and Law. The GCSE is taught over two years. All core topics are covered in Year 9 through classroom lessons and especially designed Citizenship Days. Year 10 is used as an opportunity to complete the Active Citizenship project and to develop fluency and mastery. The curriculum operates with some degree of flexibility to allow understanding of ever changing political and social contexts; this has been particularly important during the pandemic. RSHE continues in Year 11 through assemblies’ and spirituality days. Here pupils focus on issues related to personal and social development, spiritual and moral development. The order of the units in the medium-term plans is intentionally designed to ensure that prior knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding is revisited, recapped, and reinforced so that over the full extent of the subject curriculum pupils know more and can do more in an intentionally planned way and, as a result, achieve higher academic and personal outcomes.

Our vision for PSHE and Citizenship

At its core the RSHE and Citizenship curriculum makes a significant contribution towards, meeting statutory guidance around RSE and Health Education and embedding Personal Development across the school. It is an explicit and structured opportunity to explore careers; a place to understand and learn to adhere to Fundamental British Values and supports the embedment of a whole school leadership focus, particularly civic and moral leadership. Key Stage Three is dedicated to objectives directly related to Personal Development. The RSHE and Citizenship curriculum provides an opportunity to develop real cultural capital. The curriculum operates with some degree of flexibility to allow understanding of ever changing political and social contexts; this has been particularly important in context of the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis. The order of the units in the medium-term plans is intentionally designed to ensure that prior knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding is revisited, recapped, and reinforced so that over the full extent of the subject curriculum pupils know more and can do more in an intentionally planned way and as a result, achieve higher academic and personal outcomes.

The whole school curriculum operates at three levels and addresses pupils’ academic, personal and social development. The three individual elements of learning provide a different component to the education of every pupil. Intellectual, personal and social maturity will be the goal of these structured layers of learning at the school.  There are three guiding elements to all aspects of our curriculum:

• Educational excellence: subject teaching which has depth and breadth and helps ensure pupils can access the highest levels of attainment.
• Character development: through the subject teaching pupils’ broader personal development is enhanced as part of a whole school approach.
• Service to communities: structured development of citizenship, social enterprise, and service back into communities with ‘hands-on’ and participative learning.

The following principles underpin the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum:

• key knowledge and skills for life are taught sequentially and logically.
• content and coverage is planned to enable progress to be demonstrated and measured in a variety of contexts.
• coverage is age appropriate and is line with the wider ethos of the school.
• work ready and life ready is a driving principle of the curriculum design.

PSHE Intent (Core – 5 Year)

Pupils develop key knowledge that will support them in settling into school and build strong relationships with peers and adults that support them. Pupils begin a journey of exploring careers by examining the key skills required in employability.  Moreover, pupils begin with the study of local governance before developing an understanding of the wider world including how to keep themselves safe and their roles and responsibilities within this. In Year 8, pupils continue to develop knowledge of physical and mental health. Their knowledge is enhanced through the study of how to keep themselves physically and socially safe. They become acquainted with their rights with regards to equality under law. Pupils develop an understanding of careers by reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses.  At this stage, pupils’ knowledge of how the national government runs are enhanced by studying the role of an MP in a constituency knowing the different attributes that attracts different people to different political parties and knowing what voting is and why some people choose not to vote. In Year 9, pupils begin to study current social and economic climate. They are now mature to acquire knowledge of financial capability, basic law in the UK – law related to youth and youth crime, equality under law, exploration of different careers and explore the ways that individuals can make a change in society.

PSHE Implementation (Core – 5 Year)

LEARNING JOURNEYS

PSHE Impact (Core – 5 Year)

Pupils display mastery of knowledge through extended writing on the following topics: the role of protest, the effectiveness of the Youth Justice System and the use of social media in the lives of youths. In Year 8, mastery is displayed by writing essays on: Why is it important to be and how can I be more assertive? How can I keep myself safe from the dangers of knife and drugs related crimes. In Year 9, pupils evaluate the role protest, the effectiveness of the Youth Justice System and the use of social media in the lives of youths.

Citizenship Intent

In Year 10, pupils will study Life in modern Britain where they will look at the make-up, values and dynamics of contemporary UK society. They will consider what it means to be British, how identities are formed and how people can have multiple identities. Pupils will also look at the role and responsibilities of the traditional media, the impact of new media formats and the UK’s role in international issues. The second component will be the study of Rights and responsibilities where pupils will look at the nature of laws and the principles upon which laws are based, how the citizen engages with legal processes, how the justice system operates in the UK, how laws have developed over time and how society deals with criminality. You will consider also how rights are protected, the nature of universal human rights and how the UK participates in international treaties and agreements. This theme also considers how the citizen can both play a part and bring about change within the legal system. In Year 11, pupils will study the nature of political power in the UK and the core concepts relating to democracy and government. This includes how government operates at its various levels within the UK, how decisions are made and how the UK parliament works and carries out its functions. You will also look at the role of political parties, the election system, how other countries govern themselves and how the citizen can bring about political change.

Finally, the study of Active Citizenship will require pupils to undertake an investigation into a citizenship issue of their own choice which involves research, action, and reflection. Past actions have included raising money for a charity of choice, community litter pick and raising awareness of different types of cancer.

Citizenship Implementation

LEARNING JOURNEYS

Key Stage 4 Assessment

Enrichment and Careers

The following enrichment opportunities and extra- curricular activities supports pupils’ PSHE development (For whole school and leadership opportunities that develop PSHE, see leadership page)

• Hothersall Lodge – to build confidence and self-esteem.
• UK Military School to build resilience and encourage teamwork.
• Military school team building and resilient day.
• Involvement in social enterprise projects across the school
• Barclays workshops
• Visit to Police Museum
• Model UN Club
• EU Ambassador Program
• Houses of Parliament visit.

Useful Resources and Revision Support

• AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies (8100)
• BBC Citizen X
• Young Minds
• Talk to Frank
• The Anti-Bullying Alliance
• Think U Know