PSHEE
| About the Faculty |
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Every student at Sir John Lawes School has a weekly Life Skills lesson covering PSHEE (personal, social, health and economic education), Careers and Work-related learning, Active Citizenship education and Sixth Form Enrichment. The head of faculty trained as a specialist teacher in active citizenship education and who completed the National PSHEE CPD programme focusing on relationships and sex education.
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| Curriculum Intent Statement |
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Our vision is that the Life Skills programme at SJL will enable our students to develop the knowledge, skills and experience to be healthy, confident, active citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities and can take positive action in the world around them. We give our students opportunities to reflect holistically on their lives, their wellbeing and mental health and how to make positive choices to stay safe and healthy, as well as plan for their future. They study about their rights and responsibilities, democracy and politics, and the Law and have the opportunity to put these concepts into practice in an active way through participation in the Junior Leadership Team and various student voice initiatives, charity and community events and extra-curricular activities like the national mock trial competitions and ‘send my friend to school’ children’s rights campaign in which we are regularly involved. A key skill that is developed through the years is forming, expressing, justifying and debating views on important topical issues and current affairs. From September 2020 for PSHEE the school is using the ‘Jigsaw’ programme which includes the important topics of mental health and mindfulness, personal finance, relationships and sex education (RSE), drugs education topics, personal safety and first aid. These themes are developed as appropriate for each age group, building on prior learning to support our students to be able to make responsible and informed choices to stay healthy, live actively and with a sense of responsibility for themselves and others. |
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
Sixth Form Enrichment
Year 12:
Students in Year 12 cover the PHSE & Careers curriculum through tutor time and enrichment lessons.
In tutor time students cover the following topics: study skills, employability, sex & relationships, personal wellbeing and managing risk.
For the Year 12 enrichment programme students have the opportunity to study an examination course to complement their core A Level subjects. Options include the Extended Project Qualification, Financial studies, AS Thinking skills, the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) and Maths support. In the summer term students will focus on post-18 careers and UCAS.
Students will also be using the VESPA academy to develop academic resilience and good independent study habits.
Year 13:
Students in Year 13 cover the PHSE & Careers curriculum through tutor time and enrichment lessons.
In Year 13 students cover a PHSE program during enrichment lessons covering the following topics: UCAS & Careers, drugs & festivals, emotional wellbeing, revisiting sexual health and personal finance.
Students also have the opportunity, in our Enrichment Talk programme, to hear speakers from a wide range of backgrounds including university academics, professionals in various fields and inspiring individuals. These talks are designed to engage, stretch and challenge our students to think beyond a narrow set of subjects and to open their minds to the unlimited range of learning opportunities around us.
- iDEA - Inspiring Digital Enterprise Aware
- Extended Project Qualification
- Financial Studies (Level 3 Certificate)
- Mathematical Studies
- AS Thinking Skills
iDEA - Inspiring Digital Enterprise Aware
The Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, known as iDEA is an international award winning programme that helps students develop digital, enterprise and employability skills.
There are no specific entry criteria for this course.
Course content
Through a series of online challenges, students complete career-enhancing units, unlock new opportunities and, ultimately, gain industry-recognised Awards that help you stand out from the crowd.
iDEA consists of interactive online modules, created in consultation with industry experts that can be accessed for free, on any device, anywhere in the world. They vary in length and difficulty and iDEA has a huge range students can choose from.
Key skills and knowledge developed
- Enhance ICT and enterprise skills and knowledge
- Improve digital literacy
- Learn more about staying safe online
- Discover new talents
- Get more confident with technology
Assessment
Their personal ‘Record of Achievement’ enables students to showcase the skills and knowledge they have learnt wherever they are on your journey with iDEA, whether they have completed two units or fifty. Each student will have a unique verification number, this means that iDEA can validate their progress to date with any future employer or learning institution requiring verification. Students can then download a printable version your Record of Achievement or share a link to the live version of the Record of Achievement which will update automatically as more units are completed.
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)
Board: AQA (7993)
EPQ is a challenging Level 3 qualification that enables students to manage, develop and realise an in-depth study of a chosen area of study.
You will need to possess exceptionally strong independent study skills, to enable you to research and evaluate a wide variety of sources.
You will need passion for one chosen area of study that will form the basis of your project and will support your applications to higher education.
You will also need to be highly organised and committed in order to identify, design, plan and complete this demanding project by March of Year 12.
You would normally be expected to have taken, and achieved, grade 8 or above in 5 or more GCSE subjects.
Course content
Throughout the year, students are supported to complete a 5000 word essay in a response to a chosen line of enquiry and to complete a project log that evidences a critical evaluation of the EPQ process. The course will provide support in the following areas, so that students can effectively plan and complete this project.
- Research skills
- Referencing and plagiarism
- Project management
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Academic writing
However, the project itself assesses students’ ability to work independently, managing and planning the project, using resources effectively, using a range of skills to develop and realise planned outcomes, and evaluating both the outcomes and the learning process.
Assessment
Coursework (NEA) 100%
Financial Capability Certificate in Financial Studies Level 3 (CeFS)
As an Applied General qualification, the Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS) is primarily designed for students aged 16–19 and provides a comprehensive introduction to personal finance. Its purpose is to prepare students for further study through the development of the core skills of critical analysis and evaluation, synthesis, verbal communication (through classroom discussion) and written communication.
CeFS develops the knowledge and skills required for young people to make informed financial decisions by introducing them to the risks and challenges involved in personal finance and the tools for effective planning. Within this, it provides a solid basis for creating financial inclusion, by exploring social-economic trends and their relationship with an individual’s circumstances and attitudes.
We would expect you to achieve grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Mathematics.
Course content
Key content areas:
- Importance of financial capability in the immediate, short, medium and long term.
- Financial services and products, including sources of help and advice.
- Borrowing, budgeting, financial planning and cash flow forecasting.
- The impact of external influences at different stages in the personal life cycle.
- Risk and reward in managing personal finance.
It is important for students to consider that there will be examinations in January and May so they must be completely dedicated to the course from the outset.
Key skills developed:
The qualification will encourage students to:
- analyse financial information, financial products and services and begin to make judgements about suitability for people in different circumstances;
- develop an understanding of financial concepts and terminology to enhance financial literacy;
- analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect.
Assessment
Each unit is assessed through a combination of Multiple Choice Questions (Part A) and a written paper (Part B).
Part A can be sat via the LIBF e-test electronic testing system or via a paper-based MCQ examination.
Part B will always be sat via paper-based examination.
A total of 200 marks are available from both units comprising 100 marks per unit.
Part A: 35 multiple choice questions in a 45-minute examination.
Part B: pre-release case study requiring essay responses in a 105-minute examination.
Part B will also assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) through the essay responses.
Mathematical Studies
This bespoke Mathematics module is designed to support students with the mathematical elements of their A level courses. In particular there will be statistical elements that support Biology, Geography and Psychology. Opportunity is also provided to support other A levels with capacity to adapt the course as required.
This course is not for A level mathematicians but for students who are studying subjects, such as Biology, Geography or Psychology, that have a mathematical content.
Course content
The course will mainly focus on the statistical elements of Biology, Geography and Psychology. It will include the further development of bivariate data, correlation and regression including Spearman’s Rank; the review of measures of central tendency; an introduction to probability distributions – in particular the Normal distribution.
Students will develop skills in sampling data, estimating population sizes and effective use of scientific calculators.
Away from the statistical elements students will review graph plotting skills, learn about Tax and National Insurance and mortgages and loans – including student loans.
Assessment
There is no formal examination for this course but you will be expected to apply yourself to all the modules, present projects to the class and show evidence of your progress.
AS Thinking Skills
Board: Cambridge International Examinations (9694)
This course will give you the opportunities to develop a transferable set of skills including critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving. You can apply these skills across a wide range of subjects and complex real world issues. These transferable skills will equip you well for progression to higher education or directly into employment. You will need resilience and determination as the learning curve for this course can be challenging.
We would expect you to have achieved a grade 7 or above in GCSE Mathematics and either English Language or English Literature.
Course content
Problem Solving
- Organising information
- Processing information
- Analysing data
- Considering wider problems
Critical Thinking
- Evaluating and use evidence
- Analysing reasoning
- Evaluating reasoning
- Constructing reasoning
Assessment
Examination in May/June 2021
Paper 1: Problem Solving (50%)
Paper 2: Critical Thinking (50%)
Marking Policy
Extended Curriculum
Students undertake a work experience placement in year 10, do extended personalised careers research in year 11 and as part of the Sixth Form enrichment programme have the opportunity to do further voluntary work placements. Each year the school participates in the national mock trial competitions organised by ‘Young Citizens’. This is an extra-curricular project where students meet weekly to study and rehearse a court case to act out against other schools in a court room. We also are regularly involved in Oxfam campaigning for human rights such as the ‘Send my friend to school’ global education campaign for which we have regularly had students chosen as national campaign champions.
