Personal Social Development
PSD enables students to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepare for life and work in modern Britain.
Skills and attributes developed include: resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, team-working and critical thinking.
These skills and attributes are needed to manage many of the critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities students will face as they grow up and in adulthood.
PSD covers relevant issues, such as: abuse, drugs, the impact of the internet, the dangers of extremism and radicalisation, relationships and sex education and the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle.
The Collett School ensures that a comprehensive programme of PSD is in place to respond to the demands of the Department for Education and the national curriculum that all state schools ‘should make provision for personal, social, health and economic education, drawing on good practice'.
Under section 78 of the Education Act 2002 and the Academies Act 2010, schools must provide a ‘balanced and broadly-based curriculum’ which promotes ‘the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life’.
Schools also have duties in relation to promoting student wellbeing and student safeguarding (Children Act 2004) and community cohesion (Education Act 2006). Paragraph 41 of statutory guidance on Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Department for Education states that 'schools should consider how children may be taught about safeguarding, including online, through teaching and learning opportunities.
Our Citizenship curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:
- acquire a sound knowledge and understanding of how the United Kingdom is governed, its political system and how citizens participate actively in its democratic systems of government
- develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the role of law and the justice system in our society and how laws are shaped and enforced
- develop an interest in, and commitment to, participation in volunteering as well as other forms of responsible activity, that they will take with them into adulthood
- are equipped with the skills to think critically and debate political questions, to enable them to manage their money on a day to day basis.
Our teaching seeks to develop pupils’ understanding of democracy, government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Pupils use and apply their knowledge and understanding whilst developing skills to research and challenge evidence, debate and evaluate viewpoints, present reasoned arguments and take informed action. Pupils are taught about: the development of the political system of democratic government in the United Kingdom, including the roles of citizens, Parliament and the monarch. The operation of Parliament, including voting and elections, and the role of political parties. The precious liberties enjoyed by the citizens of the United Kingdom. The nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals. The roles played by public institutions and voluntary groups in society, and the ways in which citizens work together to improve their communities, including opportunities to participate in school-based activities. The functions and uses of money, the importance and practice of budgeting, and managing risk.
At Key stage 4 Teaching builds on earlier learning to deepen pupils’ understanding of democracy, government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Pupils develop their skills to be able to use a range of research strategies, weigh up evidence, make persuasive arguments and substantiate their conclusions. They experience and evaluate different ways that citizens can act together to solve problems and contribute to society.