- Scholarship: Students develop cultural capital and rich knowledge about the World. They draw upon sound research to help them shape their understanding of society and their place within it. As lifelong-learners, they are inquirers with an unrelenting thirst for knowledge.
- Leadership: Students are collaborative and work positively towards common goals. When presented with challenging and unfamiliar circumstances, they take calculated risks, think creatively and boldly, and remain balanced in their approach. They lead with a strong moral compass and an unquestionable commitment to mutual respect.
- Fellowship: Students are kind and caring and strive for an equal and socially-just World. They recognise the importance of interconnectedness. As global citizens they routinely reflect on their impact on others and society and the collective responsibility to care for our planet.
Why is Personal Development important to students’ lives?
- In this fast-paced technological world, it can be easy to lose sight of what is important to us and our happiness.
- It is also too easy to focus on immediate gains and self gratification, rather than on how we can contribute to creating a more sustainable and equal world.
- Life education is designed to give students time to reflect, take a step back and observe closely, themselves and the world around them.
- As an academy, we care about our students and what they will become. We want them all to live meaningful, happy, full and fruitful lives.
How will students learn in Personal Development?
- The main approach to learning in Personal Development will be to learn through dialogic teaching. This means that the teacher will act as facilitator and help set-up and manage a safe learning environment in which students can learn through discussion and debate. Each week, there will be an explicit focus on one of the IB profiles and school values.
Students will need to be:
- Ready to learn and contribute to the learning process. ALL students will be expected to engage and share their views.
- Respectful to one another’s views and opinions. We will listen without judgement or intolerance.
- Commit to the academy’s shared values and aim to embody them in all aspects of life and learning.
Format:
One 30 minute ‘Life’ lesson per week:
- Session 1: Teacher to facilitate teaching new material and class discussion (dialogic and collaborative).
- Session 2: Students can choose from one of the 5 learning tools to apply and create using the new knowledge (independent).
Through a range of diagnostic tools, school leaders will audit and analyse the impact on the quality of Personal Development lessons and engagement from students to ensure:
All students leave LSA as well rounded individuals who positively and critically engage with the World around them, fully equipped to live fruitful and fulfilled lives as global citizens. As life-long-learners, they will continue to foster our school values to help shape a better future and more socially-just World for all.
The Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) curriculum for Key Stage Three students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy is designed to foster the holistic development of young individuals, equipping them with essential life skills and values. This curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics and objectives:
- Resilience: Students learn how to build resilience by understanding the importance of a positive mindset, coping with adversity, and developing strategies for managing stress and challenges.
- Kindness and Respect: The curriculum emphasises the values of kindness and respect for self and others. Students explore the significance of empathy, tolerance, and inclusivity in building positive relationships and a harmonious society.
- Moral Values: Moral and ethical values are a core component. Students engage in discussions and activities that encourage critical thinking and ethical decision-making, exploring topics like honesty, integrity, and social responsibility.
- Online Safety: Students are educated about the potential risks of the digital world and how to navigate it safely. They learn about cybersecurity, responsible online behaviour, and strategies to protect themselves from online threats.
- Community Safety: The curriculum addresses safety in the physical community. Students are taught about local safety resources, emergency procedures, and their role in ensuring community well-being.
- Healthy Relationships: Students explore what constitutes a healthy relationship, be it with peers, family members, or romantic partners. Topics include communication, boundaries, consent, and recognising signs of unhealthy relationships.
- Personal Development: The curriculum encourages self-awareness and personal growth. Students explore their interests, passions, and goals, learning how to set and work towards achieving them.
- Well-being: Mental and emotional well-being are prioritised. Students are taught strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Physical Health: The importance of physical health, including nutrition, exercise, and sleep, is emphasised. Students learn how to make informed choices that support their physical well-being.
- Financial Literacy: Basic financial concepts are introduced, including budgeting, saving, and responsible spending, to prepare students for economic independence.
- Citizenship: The curriculum promotes active citizenship by teaching students about their rights and responsibilities within society. Topics include democracy, diversity, and global issues.
- Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills are honed through discussions, debates, and problem-solving activities, encouraging students to question information and think independently.
- Career Exploration: Students are introduced to various career paths and encouraged to explore their interests and skills to make informed decisions about future career choices.
The PSHE curriculum for Key Stage Three students aims to foster personal growth, resilience, and a strong moral compass while providing practical knowledge and skills to help them navigate the challenges of adolescence and prepare for a successful transition into adulthood. It equips them with the tools necessary to thrive as responsible, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals in an ever-changing world.
For further information on Personal Development, including the right to withdraw from sex education, please email the Director of Creative and Performing Arts & PSHE at naima.khanom@stationers.latrust.org.uk
KS3 Curriculum Map
Module One – Back to School
Across this module students will be supported with their transition from primary school through lesson topics such as: how to settle in successfully; personal safety travelling to and from LSA and basic first aid. Students will also be given the opportunity to discuss their role in the wider community and how they can communicate successfully both inside and outside of LSA.
Module Two – Healthy Minds
Across this module students will learn about good mental health and how to maintain this both inside and outside of school. Topics explored will include: the power of sleep and healthy routines including physical fitness and exercise. Students will be given opportunities to explore mechanisms that can help them to reduce or cope with their worries and anxieties as well as where they can find support inside and outside of LSA.
Module Three – Healthy Relationships
Across this module students will take part in lessons and activities exploring how to make and maintain Healthy Relationships. Topics will include: what are healthy friendships and relationships; how to set healthy boundaries; how to recognise negative traits within a friendship and where support can be found, both inside and outside of LSA. We will also begin to explore puberty and the changes that come with growing up.
Module Four – Online Safety
Across this module students will learn how they can keep safe online. They will discuss the positives and the negatives of the internet and social media including online bullying. Students will also be given the opportunity to discuss and to understand the law and the protection that it offers whilst online. Students will be provided with avenues for support both inside and outside of LSA.
Module Five – British Values
Across this module students will learn about the British Values of respect, individual liberty, tolerance and acceptance with regards to LSA and the wider community.. Students will be given the opportunity to explore diversity and equality with regards to our school context. This unit will also cover the rule of law including: why we need laws and who they protect.
Module Six – Life Beyond LSA
Across this module students will explore life outside of LSA. They will discuss ideas surrounding community, charities, hobbies and interests. Students will explore their role within the community and how we can all help those around us. At the end of the module, students will be encouraged to reflect on Year 7 and set aspirational targets for Year 8.
Module One – Back to School
Across this module students will reflect upon their progress in year 7 and set themselves SMART targets for the new academic year. Students will learn about growth mindset and how to achieve academic resilience. They will also have the opportunity to discuss the wider community and how their actions and behaviour can have a positive impact on those around them.
Module Two – Healthy Minds
Across this module students will explore what good mental health and wellbeing looks and feels like. They will also explore the impact of negative influences upon their mental health with the view to limit their interaction with these influences such as vaping and smoking. The module will explore the positive impact of a healthy sleep routine as well as the benefits of a healthy standard of living.
Module Three – Healthy Relationships
Across this module students will explore what a respectful relationship looks like and what they look like across many different aspects of their life including friendships, relationships and family units. They will explore the British Values of tolerance and respect when discussing how relationships can look different to others.
Module Four – Online Safety
Across this module students will learn how they can keep safe online. They will discuss the positives and the negatives of the internet and social media including peer pressure and online bullying. The module will explore the ideas of respectful boundaries when online and delve into factors such as body image and confidence compared to the ‘online world’. Students will also be given the opportunity to discuss and to understand the law and the protection that it offers whilst online. Students will be provided with avenues for support both inside and outside of LSA.
Module Five – British Values
Across this module students will learn about the British Government and its role within society including what a democracy is and how laws are created to protect citizens. Students will also explore the British Value of tolerance through issues such as stereotypes and prejudice. This module aims to teach students how we can implement British Values into our daily lives.
Module Six – Life Beyond LSA
Across this unit students will explore life outside of LSA including concerns from around the world. Students will cover topics including finance, what are my rights as an individual and violence in the community exploring contextual concerns and the law surrounding anti-social behaviours. Students will explore and take part in discussions surrounding the practices of faiths and cultures.
Module One – Back to School
Across this module students will be asked to reflect upon Year 8 and set themselves SMART targets for the year ahead. Students will be introduced to strategies and ideas that will help them to prepare for the year ahead and their approaching GCSE choices. Students will be encouraged to think positively about the year ahead and how they can monitor and support their own wellbeing to develop their resilience and to look after themselves
Module Two – Healthy Minds
Across this module students will explore how they can look after themselves: physically, mentally and emotionally. They will discuss positive behaviours and influences that can improve our minds and wellbeing and learn how to spot negative signs that could impact our daily lives. Students will explore how the law is there to support us from harm and why the laws exist. Students will also have access to support mechanisms both inside and outside of LSA.
Module Three – Healthy Relationships
Across this module students will be encouraged to explore the different types of healthy relationships that exist in our society. Students will learn about peer pressure and how to instil healthy boundaries within all of our day to day relationships. Students will continue to explore how the law can protect us and what the laws are that can protect families and individuals against pressure and discrimination.
Module Four – Online Safety
Across this unit students will explore how despite its many positives, the internet and social media can lead to personal upset and distress when used incorrectly or illegally. Students will look at how they can protect themselves online and how to spot signs of fraud or dishonesty. Students will explore case studies showcasing how they can stay safe online. Students will also have access to support mechanisms both inside and outside of LSA.
Module Five – British Values
Across this unit students will explore the British Government: who they are, what they do and how they can impact the lives of those around the country. Students will explore the concept of democracy and have opportunities to learn about the political parties and their views and ideas. This module will also explore ideas regarding equality and tolerance and will aim to teach students how to showcase respect and understanding at all times.
Module Six – Life Beyond LSA
Across this unit students will have the opportunity to explore finances and how they can look after their money. We will discuss what a community is and how we all have a role to play within the wider community, outside of LSA, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all people. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about how first aid can be beneficial to them within their daily lives. The end of the module will encourage students to set themselves aspirational targets for the start of the GCSE courses.
