Life Skills

Through the teaching of all aspects of the PSHE curriculum that we have designed, we want to:

• Enable students to broaden their understanding of their place in their communities – whether that’s at school, at home or in wider society.
• Develop their learning about how they can affect and influence those communities through the decisions that they make - now and in the future.
• Promote the importance of, and equip students with, the ability to live healthy lifestyles and recognise (and address) unhealthy habits.
• Empower students to build and maintain healthy relationships.
• Continuously build on knowledge and skills by encouraging learners to explore a wide range of topics within the Life Skills curriculum and encourage them to explore their own opinions about the subject matter.
• Prepare students for life beyond school.

Key skills

Academic Skills:

• Critical thinking: the ability to question their own reactions and the information they are receiving (particularly online).
• Research and collation of ideas: gathering information about a given topic or issue, and working collaboratively with others or independently to organise and process that information in relation to their own ideas.
• Discussion and communication skills: listening to, and respectfully challenging others’ opinions; conveying their own opinion in a clear and thoughtful way.
• Reasoning: moral reasoning, evaluation and comparison of a range of scenarios and reactions.
• Study skills: creating revision timetables, learning how to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively, learning how we learn.

Employability Skills:

• Communication
• Team Work
• Resilience
• Organisation
• Literacy
• Independence
• Technology
• Research
• Problem Solving
• Numeracy

Personal Skills:

• Self – confidence
• Self – knowledge
• Self – discipline
• Empathy

Key concepts

RSE

• Full coverage of the DFE’s statutory RSHE curriculum
• An enhanced understanding of the ways in which relationships can change and develop over time, as we enter adolescence and adulthood (including how our own physical and emotional development can influence these relationships).
• A clear understanding of consent, particularly in relation to intimate or sexual relationships, and ways to effectively communicate our feelings.
• Gain an understanding of different sexualities and genders, and an acceptance of everyone’s right to be themselves – no matter what that is.
• Recognition of positive and negative relationships (including friendships), and how to deal with potentially harmful relationships, including negotiating skills and assertive communication.

Health and safety

• A developed appreciation of the benefits of healthy diet and exercise, and an understanding of the potentially unhealthy habits (including drugs and alcohol).
• A further understanding of a range of healthy and unhealthy coping strategies in relation to mental health, stress and emotional wellbeing.
• Enhanced recognition of how to keep oneself and others safe – in person, on the roads and online, with a focus on increasing independence and the responsibilities which accompany that.

Financial Wellbeing

• An understanding of budgeting, saving and managing money.
• An understanding of work-related pay: payslips, contracts, tax and National Insurance.

Careers

• Career planning and decision making, including organising a work experience placement; understanding the application process and practising interview skills.
• An understanding of the full range of Post-16 Options available, and the pros and cons of each route into further education, as well as an appreciation of the requirements for specialist or vocational courses post 16 and 18, and careers with specific requirements.
• Understanding the transferable employability skills acquired across the Curriculum and how careers and subject knowledge complement each other.
• Experience of the workplace through work experience placements in Year 10 and Year 12.

Citizenship

• An appreciation of British values and being part of a diverse local, national and global community – and how to sensitively negotiate the challenges this diversity can create.
• An understanding of the rights and responsibilities of young people and families, the Discrimination and Equality Acts and how they can affect us in the workplace and the wider world.

In Years 7 to 9, Students are taught in two regular lessons per fortnight taught by a specialist teacher. To ensure a broad and ambitious Curriculum, we follow a themed approach to Life Skills lessons, which fit with the statutory requirements but also align with our school’s ASPIRE ethos. These themes are repeated each year, but the breadth and depth of each topic explored develops year on year.

The personal skills that we value are developed through opportunities to discuss ideas with peers, as well as learn from experts. Students are encouraged to explore a range of perspectives and outlooks, maintaining their respect and acceptance of different viewpoints, and reflecting on their own personal views as well.

View full programmes of study

In Key Stage 4, we aim to broaden and deepen the knowledge and ideas explored in Key Stage 3. Lessons continue to be taught in timetabled lessons by a specialist teacher. The thematic programme of study continues as students build on the skills and knowledge that they need to potentially leave Moulton at the end of this Key Stage and make a significant contribution to the wider community. 

As at Key Stage 3, there are plenty of opportunities to discuss ideas with peers, as well as learn from experts. Students are still encouraged to explore a range of perspectives and outlooks, maintaining their respect and acceptance of different viewpoints. The concepts considered reflect the increasing maturity of the students, and the challenges that they may face as they enter adulthood.

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The Year 12 and 13 Life Skills programme is overseen by the Deputy Head of 6th Form and allows students to transition from KS4 to KS5 effectively, developing essential study skills and independence. Students are encouraged to develop a ‘growth mindset’ and develop higher level methods. It also prepares students for post-18 life, helping them with job and university applications as well as independent living.

The course also aims to build on the PSHE/RSHE and SMSC topics studied at KS3 and 4, providing students with the knowledge required to maintain a safe, healthy and active lifestyle both on and offline, learning how to manage both their physical and mental health and wellbeing. It encourages students to become more accepting and tolerant of others in a global community, learning about common misconceptions and prejudices and to be able to make their own informed decisions and choices. In addition students learn about managing finance both in a university and “real life” context.

View full programmes of study