Wider Curriculum

Wider Curriculum

Overview

At Lister Community School, the design and delivery of our wider curriculum ensures that in addition to academic challenge, our students’ personal development is a priority. Throughout both key stages there is a strong emphasis on personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and on fostering students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC).  Our curriculum is in-line with the government’s new statutory guidance for relationship, sex and health education (RSHE).  Our school is also part of the Newham RHSE Partnership, which consulted widely with stakeholders in order to develop local guidance around the implementation of the RSHE curriculum.  A summary of the consultative work carried out can be viewed here.  Our school also follows the prinicples laid out in the Trust’s RSHE Principles Statement, available on the Policies Page of the Trust website.

SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural development)

Key to our provision is fostering students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) through:

• The opportunity for students to actively engage in the democratic process through positions of student leadership and participation in decision making in school;
• A varied programme of activities for form times and assemblies which allows for reflection and discussion on important themes such as diversity, respect, personal accountability and global citizenship.
• A meaningful and targeted programme of cross-curricular learning activities.
• Involvement in local and international charity events which sensitizes students to the world around them and the role they can play in bringing about change.
• Links with partner schools abroad which fosters a mutual raising of cultural awareness and increased motivation for language learning.
• A programme of extra-curricular opportunities, from after school clubs to participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award which helps students to build on their strengths outside the classroom.
• A programme of careers education and guidance (CEIAG) that provides students with the foundation on which to build their future pathways, from their GCSE options, through to their post-16 choices and beyond.  Additional information is available on the Careers page of the website.
• A clear provision map that is continually monitored and updated with relevant practices to aid both students and families in achieving a positive mental wellbeing.  Additional information is available on the Mental health and wellbeing page of the website.

What is personal development?

We define personal development as providing our students with the knowledge, skills and experiences in order to become:

• Responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults
• Pupils’ understanding of the fundamental British values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law and mutual respect and tolerance
• Pupils’ character – which we define as a set of positive personal traits, dispositions and virtues that informs their motivation and guides their conduct so that they reflect wisely, learn eagerly, behave with integrity and cooperate consistently well with others
• Pupils’ confidence, resilience and knowledge so that they can keep themselves mentally healthy
• Pupils’ understanding of how to keep physically healthy, eat healthily and maintain an active lifestyle, including giving ample opportunities for pupils to be active during the school day and through extra-curricular activities
• Pupils’ age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships through appropriate relationships and sex education

What defines our wider curriculum provision?

Our provision is rich and varied.  We cover a wide range of issues in meaningful and engaging ways that are appropriate to each year group.  This is achieved through both the curriculum, as well as through extended enrichment activities.  Our aim is to support students’ broader personal education by developing well rounded individuals who appreciate right from wrong, who understand their rights as well as their responsibilities, who know how to keep themselves safe and make healthy life choices and who appreciate their worth so they are empowered to realise their full potential.

Key to our provision is:

• The opportunity for students to actively engage in the democratic process through positions of student leadership and participation in decision making in school;
• A varied programme of activities for registrations and assemblies which allows for reflection and discussion on important themes such as diversity, respect, personal accountability and global citizenship.
• A meaningful and targeted programme of cross-curricular learning activities.
• Involvement in local and international charity events which sensitizes students to the world around them and the role they can play in bringing about change.
• Links with partner schools abroad which fosters a mutual raising of cultural awareness and increased motivation for language learning.
• A programme of extra-curricular opportunities, from after school clubs to participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award which helps students to build on their strengths outside the classroom.
• A programme of careers education and guidance (CEIAG) that provides students with the foundation on which to build their future pathways, from their GCSE options, through to their post-16 choices and beyond.  Additional information is available on the Careers page of the website.
• A clear provision map that is continually monitored and updated with relevant practices to aid both students and families in achieving a positive mental wellbeing.  Additional information is available on the Mental health and wellbeing page of the website.