Culture and Wellbeing

The department of Culture and Wellbeing – includes the subjects of Cultural Studies, PSHCE, RSE, Curriculum for Life, and Work Skills.

These subjects are challenging and important. We cover the Sunderland Agreed Syllabus for RE within Cultural Studies and Curriculum for Life. Lessons encourage students to consider a broad range of issues to do with morality, faith and ethical dilemmas. Learners will learn to consider a range of theoretical and philosophical viewpoints within the context of specific focus areas. Learners will be asked to investigate a range of viewpoints of any given subject and to consider the reasons why our society/culture is the way it is, and how it differs from other societies/cultures around the world. Learners will be supported to develop a range of skills within the subject which are essential for academic success across the board.

In PSHCE, Curriculum for Life and work skills we develop the skills and attributes to help pupils to stay healthy, safe and prepare them for life and work in modern Britain. Learners will develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society; from making responsible decisions about alcohol to succeeding in their first job, across the subjects in the department they will help pupils to manage many of the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up. They will achieve their potential by supporting their wellbeing and tackling issues that can affect their ability to learn, such as anxiety and unhealthy relationships. The department will help pupils to develop skills and aptitudes – like teamwork, communication, and resilience – that are crucial to navigating the challenges and opportunities of the modern world, and are increasingly valued by employers.

We promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of learners at the school and of society, and prepare pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life while ensuring learners are safe. The department supports learners to achieve their academic potential, and leave school equipped with skills they will need throughout later life. Our RSE provision is in line with the statutory requirements required from 2020 for all learners to follow. RSE and Health Education are statutory from 2020, we will be implementing from 2019 as a DfE early adopter school. (Please see RSE section of website for further details)

For more information please click here – http://cdn-wookie.wayfresh.co.uk/castle-view/rse-guide.pdf

The subjects covered within the department of Culture and Wellbeing at times will require students to study some difficult issues, where at times, challenging images, ideas and questions may be posed. This is a part of our subject and staff will always be sensitive to student age and deal with difficult issues in an age-appropriate way, with age-appropriate resources. Where staff know that students may be personally affected by some of
the topics/issues discussed, they will seek advice from senior Leaders and ensure that support is always available and provided if necessary.

Football academy learners follow a scheme of learning specifically designed to meet the need of learners and remain in line with statutory guidelines of RSE and the agreed syllabus in Religious Education.

Year 7 and 8
Across Year 7 & 8, learners will have 1 lesson per week of Cultural Studies. During Cultural Studies lessons learners will cover explicit content which relates to global faiths including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. They will learn about beliefs and values and cultural ceremonies within various faiths. Learners will also consider ethical and/or moral issues within lessons and will pose and consider philosophical questions as of their Culture and Wellbeing curriculum at Kepier.

We cover the following topics below throughout the year, although at times the order and length may vary.

What Is life like as a Hindu?

Year 7 and 8

The subject will equip our earners with knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive, fulfilled, and responsible lives. PSHCE develops and encourages and supports them in making effective transitions, positive learning and career choices and in managing their finances effectively. Learners will have the opportunity to enhance their Character Education through tasks which focus on Leadership, Organisation, Resilience, Initiative and Communication. Throughout year 7 and 8 all learners will cover topics on Careers and aspirations, Citizenship, finances, the world and their local area, first aid, RSE and health including mental health.

What are the British Values?

Staying Safe

Year 9, 10 and 11

At Kepier in year 9, 10 and 11 learners receive 1 lesson a week of Curriculum for Life; this covers RE, PSHCE, Citizenship and RSE and Health education.

In Curriculum for Life we aim for learners to develop a knowledge and understanding of appropriate citizenship, personal development and employability concepts. The skills they build on will promote the ability to make appropriate and effective use of Curriculum for Life knowledge to develop, interpret, modify and communicate civic, social and personal ideas and concepts. In Curriculum for Life we aim to develop our learner’s knowledge of current affairs, concept and appreciation of equality, diversity in our local, national and international community. We promote Human Rights, transferrable employability skills and emotional development.

Year 9 learners

Some of our learners will have access to achieving The Pearson BTEC Level 1 Award in Work skills.  This course will prepare you for employment and will ensure you have the knowledge and skills to succeed in the workplace.

The BTEC Level 1 Award in Workskills provides learners with a qualification in employability skills. Learner will be able to use this as a starting point to
complete higher levels in BTEC Workskills on passing this qualification.

Learners will complete two units over 1 lesson per week during year 9.

NAME: Personal Presentation for the workplace

URN: Y/508/4371

LEVEL: 1

GLH: 15

In this unit you will learn about:

• The importance of personal presentation
• How presentation can provide a positive first impression of self and the organisation
• The requirements for different types of workplace – dress, hygiene, attitude, behaviour, body language, inappropriate
  dress
• Develop practical skills required to present themselves in line with workplace requirements

NAME: Career Progression

URN: J/508/3496

LEVEL: 1

GLH: 15

In this unit you will learn about:

• Create a 5-10 year plan
• Identify your skills and interests
• Understand and determine what is need to achieve your goals
• Establish a plan of how to achieve these goals
• Importance of preparing for the future
• Ways to develop your existing and new skills

Parents can show an interest in the issues and ideas that students will hopefully share at home. Many of the issues we study will be relevant to the modern world, to current affairs or recent events/developments. A wider knowledge of society, news and events is always useful for students and so encouraging students to have an awareness of weekly news events will support general knowledge and understanding