Personal Development and PSHE
We address Personal Development in a number of ways at FCC. A specific way we address it is through our Personal Development (PD) Days and PSHE lessons.
Our aim is to develop responsible, respectful, kind, and honest young people. We want our students to take an active role in their community at school and the wider community around them. The curriculum is designed to help students know how to keep themselves safe and how to make healthy choices. There is a focus on the future and what skills they may need as they move into the world of further education or employment. All of this is delivered in an ‘age and stage’ appropriate manner, building on the content of previous years to ensure content is not forgotten and knowledge is secured and extended.
Within the curriculum we will cover:
- Citizenship
- British Values – Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect, Tolerance and Individual Liberty.
- PSHE – Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education
- SMSC – Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development
- RSE – Relationships and Sex Education
- Futures & Aspirations – Careers, Employability and Further Education
We recognise the importance we play in developing the whole child. Academic study sits alongside an additional curriculum that addresses Citizenship, PSHE, Relationships and Sex Education, SMSC and a focus on our school values. It is also important for us to provide the students in our setting with an understanding of the world of work and to offer experiences and insights into careers they may wish to move into.
An example of some of the topics that students may cover:
| Citizenship: • Democracy and justice • Rights and responsibilities • Identities and diversity • Taking informed and responsible action |
PSHE - Economic Wellbeing and Financial Capability: • Careers education • Economic understanding • CV writing • Managing a budget |
| PSHE – Personal Wellbeing: • Personal identity • Healthy lifestyle • Positive relationships • Mindfulness and resilience |
SMSC – Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural • Developing their sense of self • Considering what is right and wrong, and the consequences of actions • Local, national and global communities • Awareness of culture and the role it plays |
Relationships and Sex Education
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is part of the curriculum offered to all pupils and is intended to complement parental teaching at home. The college aims to cover three fundamental areas:
1. Knowledge
The Science National Circulum presents anatomical and biological aspects of reproduction in increasing detail between year 7 to 11. Other topics such as sexually transmitted diseases and contraception are addressed during Personal Development Days.
2. Social Skills
Students are encouraged to foster self-awareness, decision-making skills and a sense of moral responsibility. Respect for others and a clear understanding of consent in all areas of their life is stressed throughout. This takes place when students are in year 7 to 11 on Personal Development Days, in assemblies, as well as in curriculum subjects across the school.
3. Attitudes and Values
Information relating to sex and sexuality is given within a context which stresses the complexity and value of human relationships. A range of moral views and choices are explored and shared from different points of view. These issues are covered in varying forms across RE and PSHE lessons during years 7 and 8, and will also be covered in several other curriculum areas.
At FCC, we aim to;
- Help young people value themselves and develop a sense of responsibility.
- Develop social skills for healthy relationships.
- Provide correct information in a clear and concise manner.
- Encourage thoughtful, informed discussion on sexual values.
If any parent has concerns about what is taught as a part of our Relationships and Sex Education Programme, they are encouraged to contact the college to discuss the matter.
We have a school health nurse based on the school site throughout the week, offering drop-in appointments and 1:1 sessions. The nurse provides students with an opportunity for the students to talk about a range of issues, including relationships and sex education, at a personal level and on a confidential basis.
Futures and Aspirations programme of study
Our Futures and Aspirations programme embraces a number of core, valuable experiences for all students, across the curriculum as a whole:
- Citizenship and PSHE curriculum
- Working with local business leaders
- Encounters with visiting speakers and organisations
This programme is delivered through the Personal Development Days across all year groups, and has a ‘Futures and Aspirations’ focus where these topics can be explicitly taught. On these days, the normal college timetable will be collapsed and, instead, pupils will undertake a day of activities that aim to increase pupils’ awareness of the wider world which they will enter when they complete their time at FCC. Year 10 and 11 will also be using the time to develop crucial revision skills as well as receiving direction on writing exemplary CVs.
Opportunities to meet and interact with visiting local business leaders and engage with high-quality visiting speakers and organisations are also created. This may also enable students to make contacts who can facilitate work experience placements for them in the future; we are lucky to have our own Careers Advisor on site who helps with the organisation of this. These encounters are designed to introduce students to potential educational pathways that they may wish to pursue in future years: be this in the medical profession or engineering, for instance. We intend for all students to have the widest variety of experiences and interactions that prompt their interests and passions. Alongside these specific days, this programme of study is part of students’ form time and assemblies.
To complement the Futures and Aspirations curriculum, there are many other active roles within the college that contribute to the development of students as active citizens. We have student voice committees, which allow pupils to make a key contribution to the development of a positive school culture. It also allows pupils to have a sense of ownership, giving them opportunities to exhibit responsibility and develop leadership skills.
Assemblies
Each year group attends two assemblies each week. One assembly will be led by a member of the Senior Leadership Team or a member of staff with a particular interest in the subject based on the ‘Theme for the Week’. Their other assembly will be led by their Year Coordinator or possibly members of the school community, for example, Sixth Form students. In the other three tutor time periods during the week, students have a Personal Development or Reading task to complete (KS3). Additionally, students may have a study skills task (KS4).
Examples of the ‘Themes for the Week’:
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- The rule of law
- Diversity
- Democracy
- Anti-Bullying Week
- Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle
- Celebration (at the end of every term)
Aims for assembly:
- To develop a sense of community.
- To deliver elements of our Personal Development curriculum.
- To reflect on the values we have as a school and how students can demonstrate these in their own conduct.
- To celebrate achievements and special occasions in respect of individuals, the college and the wider community.
- To enable students time for reflection and contemplation.
- To celebrate difference and diversity, as well as our similarities with others.