Ethics, Philosophy and Citizenship
We believe that students deserve a broad and ambitious EPC curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which ignites curiosity and prepares them well for future learning or employment. Our EPC curriculum will give students the opportunity to:
- Explore different cultures, beliefs and opinions to develop students understanding of the world and to help the to create their own views about relevant issues;
- Enhance students reading ability through the delivery of carefully chosen texts to support reciprocal reading;
- Enjoy a wide range of topic areas that include ethics, philosophy, economical wellbeing and issues relating to modern life;
- Develop cultural capital that will help remove barriers to achievement in school, future learning and the world of work;
- Experience learning that is ‘outside the academic’ throughout the year;
- Develop an understanding of Relationship and Sexual Education including healthy relationships and LGBTQ+ relationships;
- Produce ‘meaningful work’ of which they can be proud;
- Articulate and express their ideas, views and opinions about a wide range of topics clearly, confidently and respectfully;
- Develop their character, including resilience, confidence and independence, so that they contribute positively to the life of the school, their local community and the wider environment.
Relationship and Sex education:
Our RSE curriculum provision gives due regard to the DfE’s statutory guidance on sex and relationship education as well as focusing in more detail on issues most relevant to pupils in our local context. Specific needs, as they arise are responded to and incorporated into our planning. We are keen to use parental surveys to ensure that contextual issues are quickly addressed. Year 7 and 8 pupils learn about elements of RSE in EPC lessons. Year 9 to 11 pupils participate in RSE personal development days and the weekly tutor programme which ensures RSE themes and topics are covered in detail. Our 5-year RSE learning journey shows how RSE content is mapped across year groups and curriculum subject areas to ensure full coverage. RSE curriculum content is sequenced to ensure that key issues are revisited in later years and in greater depth.
Throughout the academic year pupils will participate in a series of personal development days which will focus on RSE, British Values and Physical and Mental Well-being.
So that we can prepare our pupils for Life in modern Britain we ensure that our personal development curriculum reflects the full diversity of the world we live in. This includes teaching about LGBTQIA+ people and themes. We do this through tutor sessions, assemblies, and the EPC curriculum. Pupils learn about sexual orientation and gender identity, same-sex relationships, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and gender stereotypes. We also offer a weekly LGBTQIA+ enrichment club, which is well attended. In June 2022, we celebrated Pride with a whole school personal development afternoon, culminating in a Pride Parade!
