PSHE
Pupils’ personal development is a strength. Leaders provide a planned programme of assemblies, tutorials, citizenship and lessons, as well as careers education. (Ofsted, February 2020)
The 4Cs at John Colet School
The Personal, Social, and Health Education curriculum at John Colet School, known as Cit-Com, is delivered in two areas:
- Character and Culture, and
- Citizenship and Community
Within the 4Cs at John Colet, we are aiming to support and create a well-rounded school experience that will help students to not only start as they mean to continue, but to help them to succeed in the wider world once they leave school.
Character and Culture
One morning per week, tutors will lead an activity about topics like organisation, communication, leadership, e-safety, etc. All of these activities are based around building character and creating a positive, resilient and kind culture at John Colet.
Citizenship and Community (or Cit-Com)
This one-hour lesson happens once per fortnight, and aims to delve deeper into topics like relationships, drug awareness, finance, and careers, among others. These lessons aim to provide students with some of the knowledge and skills to succeed and be a positive contributor both in school and in the wider world.
With the focus on the 4Cs, Character, Culture, Citizenship, and Community, we aim to support the development of students into well-rounded individuals who are willing, able, and eager to experience and contribute to the world around them.
Key Stage 3
What are the knowledge and skills that students will gain over Key Stage 3?
There are three key themes that are covered throughout Key Stage 3.
- Living in the Wider World covers such topics as the transition to secondary school for Year 7, enterprise skills and careers, and managing money and the rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
- Health and Wellbeing entails topics like first aid and personal safety, drug, tobacco, and alcohol awareness, and study skills.
- Relationships and Sex Education involves the discussion of different types of relationships and how to manage them, promoting human rights, and in Year 8, the introduction to sexuality, consent, and contraception.
Why is it delivered in this way?
The three key themes will be covered throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. The topics covered at Key Stage 3 have been chosen to take into account the students’ levels of maturity at this point in secondary school, as well as issues that affect the local area.
Key Stage 4
What are the knowledge and skills that students will gain over Key Stage 4?
The three key themes of Living in the Wider World, and Relationships and Sex Education, and Health and Wellbeing are covered again at Key Stage 4.
- Living in the Wider World covers topics such as careers, enterprise skills, and money management.
- Health and Wellbeing looks at topics such as self-esteem and resilience, study skills, and mental health.
- Relationships and Sex Education involves discussion of topics such as relationship myths and expectations, tackling homophobia and sexism, as well as more challenging topics such as domestic abuse and managing romantic relationships and breakups.
Why is it delivered in this way?
As with Key Stage 3, the topics that are covered in Key Stage 4 take into account the students’ higher maturity levels and their ability to manage more challenging and sometimes controversial topics. The material has also been chosen to reflect issues that are relevant to the local area.
Sixth Form
What are the knowledge and skills that students will gain over Key Stage 5?
Themes of careers, higher education, personal well being, personal safety, political engagement, personal finance and mental health are all explored through a combination of tutor delivered content, assemblies, external providers and speakers, along with visits to universities, careers fairs and apprenticeship providers. The PSHE programme varies each academic year depending on availability of providers but will focus on these themes. Along with this we explore issues of Leadership, Oracy, Resilience, Initiative and Communication and students are taught the value of these soft skills through the Be Ready programme and assemblies in the main. The Be Ready programme is a self guided CPD course which students work through during morning registrations.
Why is it delivered in this way?
Much of the PSHE programme is delivered in response to the changing needs of each cohort and in response to issues that arise throughout the course of the year. The emphasis is on providing students with a wide variety of experiences and information as they make their choices about Post 18 pathways. There is overlap between PSHE and the enrichment programme and students should experience a holistic package which will enable them to develop their character and become employable and successful young adults when they leave to pursue whichever path they choose.