Life Skills

Life Skills Education (PSHCE) 

Subject Leader: Mrs M Sutcliffe 

 

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.  Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”  – Martin Luther King Jr. 

Life Skills Education (PSHCE) helps students to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes that they need to flourish as individuals, family members and as members of their community.  It helps to keep students healthy and safe, as well as preparing them for life and work in modern Britain.  Students are given the space and freedom to investigate, question and evaluate different subject matter in a safe learning environment.  

In Life Skills Education students are given the opportunity to explore a wide breadth of topics, all delivered by trained specialists.  Students will explore issues surrounding being safe online, what does a healthy relationship look like, how do we look after our mental health, through to learning about British Values and what a wage slip looks like.  Helping to equip students with the tools needed to navigate their lives in a complex world.  Lessons are also taught within the context of Catholic Church teachings. 

Life Skills Education follows subject content set out by government statutory guidance: 

• Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing education 
• RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) 

• CIAEG (Careers Information, Advice and Educational Guidance) 
• Citizenship Education 

All students take part in weekly 25 minute Tutorial sessions to enhance their Life skills Education.  Students will explore the subjects listed above but also have opportunities to explore, discuss and debate current affairs in our society and world. 

 

Key Stage 3 

At Key Stage 3 students receive one hour a fortnight of Life Skills education.  Students also have access to three Drop Down Days a year.  Students will compete the following Life Skills Education modules: 

Year 7 

• Module 1 – Health and Wellbeing:  Drugs education, smoking and alcohol laws; Internet safety; Health education (including puberty, dental and mental health). 
• Module 2 – Careers Education:  Exploring skills, future aspirations; Gender discrimination in the workplace. 
• Module 3 – RSE:  Relationships, respect, friendships and expectations; Bullying, including cyber bullying and where to gain support. 
• Module 4 – Citizenship:  The role of parliament, law making, justice; Financial education: spending and ways to spend, how to use a bank account. 

Year 8 

• Module 1 – Health and Wellbeing:  Drugs education (classifications, risks to mental health, and laws); Body image and support; Managing stress and fitness; The importance of sleep. 
• Module 2 – Careers Education:  Successful interpersonal and communication skills; Entrepreneurs; Working life, managing a budget. 

• Module 3 – RSE:  Relationships, and dealing with relationship breakdowns; Personal safety, FGM and online behaviours; Committed relationships, including different types and fertility. 
• Module 4 – Citizenship:  British Values; Making an impact on politics, pressure groups; Financial education, savings and borrowing. 

Year 9 

• Module 1 – Health and Wellbeing:  Drugs, physical and mental dangers of illegal drugs, psychoactive substances, DNP and steroids; Curating an online image and the impact of FOMO (fear of missing out). 
• Module 2 – Careers Education:  Future career planning and ways into work; GCSE options. 
• Module 3 – RSE:  LGBTQ+ and respect; Law on consent and sexual relationships; Family planning, parenting skills, pregnancy and contraception. 
• Module 4 – Citizenship:  Community cohesion and diversity; Human rights; Electoral processes; Financial education, wages, pay slips, National Insurance and Tax. 

 

Key Stage 4 

Students in Year 10 are are provided Life Skills education within the Religious Studies curriculum and have access to three Drop Down Days a year.  Year 11 students take part in one Drop Down Day for CIAEG.  In Year 10, students will compete the following Life Skills Education modules: 

• Module 1 – Health and Wellbeing:  Physical health, vaccinations and anti-vaccination; Drugs education, alcohol, the physical and mental harms and harm reduction; Online safety, grooming awareness, social gaming and gambling dangers; Mental health support, coping with grief and bereavement. 
• Module 2 – RSE:  Trust in relationships; Gangs and where to gain support; Dealing with romantic relationship break ups; Sexual media and the law, how to keep safe; Unwanted attention and the law; Alcohol; risky behaviour and keeping safe.