Intent
At The Oaks Academy Personal Development is at the core of what we do and enables our children to become independent, confident, healthy and responsible members of society, as well as developing the “whole child” intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. Through our whole-school approach to Personal Development, it is our belief that excellence in these areas will lead to excellence across the curriculum and beyond in later life. To support our clear message around personal growth The Oaks defines this as the CHARACTER curriculum.
Careers & Finance
Health
Aspirations
Responsibility
Active Citizenship
Community
Tolerance
Emotional intelligence
Relationships
PSCHE lessons form one element of the Personal Development curriculum. This curriculum equips children with relevant and meaningful content, which is supported through a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. With an ever-changing society, we are able to provide our children with a strong understanding of the diverse world around them and support them in playing a positive role in contributing to the school and the wider community.
Implementation
All children in year 7-9 have 2 distinct CHARACTER lessons across their 2-week timetable and once a fortnight in years 10 & 11. These lessons are delivered by form tutors whilst also utilising expertise from outside speakers. The planning and structure of this delivery is mapped across the school and is also supported by a clear form time and assembly programme which is mapped against an inclusion calendar.
Planning and ensuring the facilitation of an appropriate PSCHE curriculum is the SLT lead for Community and Personal Development. SLT will ensure that staff are provided with the appropriate training and support required to deliver an effective Personal Development programme, through distinct lessons and a weekly form time programme. They will plan and co-ordinate with the Key Stage directors an effective assembly programme that supports a clear message around CHARACTER, its purpose and its values at The Oaks.
At key stage 3, students will build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values they have acquired and developed during the primary phase. PSCHE education acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. It teaches the knowledge and skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media.
At key stage 4, students deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during key stage 3. PSCHE education reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.
PSCHE Curriculum Map
CHARACTER lesson implementation
There are 6 spiral themes to the CHARACTER programme which run across year 7-11. Each theme is then broken down further to ensure compliance with Dfe statutory RSE and Health guidelines, Gatsby benchmarks, PSHE association Core Themes and CDI Framework
- Life Beyond School
- Celebrating Diversity and Equality
- Staying safe online and offline
- Health and Wellbeing
- Rights Responsibilities and British Values
- Relationships and Sex Education
Health & Wellbeing
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
Introduction to puberty Puberty (Girl’s focus) Puberty (boys focus) Personal and oral hygiene Growing up and FGM Assertiveness, consent and hormones Self-esteem and empowerment Screen time and safe mobile phone use
|
Health & wellbeing Self-harm Positive body image Dove – body image Types of bullying Healthy eating and cholesterol Child abuse |
Self-esteem changes Bullying in all its forms Dealing with grief and loss Media & airbrushing Cancer prevention & healthy lifestyles Child on child abuse |
Child abuse (CSE) Common mental health issues Promoting emotional wellbeing |
Teenage pregnancy Love & abuse are not the same Cancer Organ donation & donating blood |
Life beyond School
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
Intro to PSCHE Getting to know people Careers and your future Sleep and relaxation Financial Education
|
Employability skills Proud to be me Careers and interests Self esteem and the media Labour market information Exploring careers |
From Failure to success First Aid Importance of happiness Using trustworthy websites to support future planning Careers vocational and academic Employment & Financial management Saving and managing money |
Aspirations & Employability Writing a CV Rights & Responsibilities
|
College research & applications Writing a personal statement Dealings with exam stress and anxiety Time management College applications & support |
Relationship & Sex Education
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
Consent and boundaries What makes a good friend Friendships & Managing them Being positive & Respectful Pressure & Influence What does it mean to be a man |
Introduction to RSE Healthy Relationships Dealing with conflict What is Love? Introduction to contraception |
Sexual consent and the law FGM and the law Delaying sexual activity Why have sex? Why have sex – part 2 What are STIs Contraception Contraception – part 2 Exploring the realities of contraception Sexual harassment and stalking HIV and AIDS |
Porn life V Real Life Domestic Abuse Sexual Violence |
Peer on Peer bullying Fertility & what impacts it Alcohol and bad choices Importance of sexual health |
Rights, Responsibilities & British Values
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
Why is politics important How is our country run Elections and campaigning Politics and debating
|
Law making in the UK Criminal’s laws and society Prisons, reform and punishment Desert Island living Building a community Critical thinking and fake news What is a cult?
|
Conspiracies and Extremist narratives Extremism in all its forms What is terrorism Proud to be British Radicalisation process Counter terrorism Anti-Semitism |
LGBT rights and British values Exploring human rights Exploring Britishness and British values |
Year 11 will cover this through the form and assembly programme which reinforces whole school messages |
Celebrating Diversity & Equality
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
Multicultural Britain What is your identity Nature v Nurture Equality act 2010 Prejudice and discrimination Challenging Islamophobia |
LGBT what is it? LGBT homophobia in schools Supporting those that are LGBT Challenging homophobia Transphobia Coming out #Metoo movement |
Year 9 will cover this through the form time and assembly programme which reinforces whole school messages |
Women’s rights & equality Peace, War and conflict |
Year 11 will cover this through the form and assembly programme which reinforces whole school messages |