Citizenship
Citizenship strands are implemented across all curriculum areas at Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. Students will also undertake the Higher Extended Project qualification which encompasses various strands of Citizenship. In Years 9, 10 and 11 Citizenship is also delivered within the RE GCSE and the Careers carousel rotation as dedicated timetabled lessons. For Years 12 and 13, students have a dedicated timetabled lesson. Students may also undertake the Extended Project qualification. Strands of Citizenship are also identified across all subject areas for all year groups. The school runs an extensive programme of enrichment which all students partake in.
Citizenship is an all-encompassing subject and is considered equally important in terms of subject lessons, cross-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Lawrence Sheriff School celebrates the integration and achievements of its pupil’s both inside and outside of the classroom and considers Citizenship to be a core factor in these achievements as students are encouraged to take part in their communities. There is an annual teaching Citizenship audit undertaken by Subject Leaders – to ensure parity and the occurrence of key themes across the curriculum. Citizenship themes are used as a basis for assemblies as well as part of the tutor programme.
Personal Development
Personal Development will incorporate strands of PSHE and citizenship into a new scheme of work for Years 7 and 8. This will allow cross over between the strands of both subjects to enhance what pupils are learning, and highlight wider contexts. It will also create capacity to support students with other areas of their school life and personal wellbeing. For example through discussions with the Pastoral team, Heads of House and Heads of year a number of areas to proactively support students when settling into the school will be built in. These will cover things such as the use of school ICT systems, managing friendships and effective management of their time at home.
Alongside this the school is also looking to further develop students literacy skills and their oracy. This will be put into the curriculum early to allow students to utilise and develop these skills along their school journey.
Such topics include:
- Their transition to secondary school and their new community
- The rights of a UK Citizen
- Using their rights & responsibilities
- The role of the media – press freedom & spinning the news
- Positive images – challenging stereotypes
- Refugees & Asylum seekers
- Using student voice
- The Emergency Health Services of the NHS
For Year 9 Personal Development will be taught on a carousel and be used to further develop students' understanding of strands from both the PSHE and Citizenship requirements. This will continue to allow the school to incorporate additional elements to support key aspects of student learning, such as science of learning, Sheriff Learner and Poise and Presentation.
