PSHCE/Citizenship

PSHCE Curriculum Statement of Intent

The main aim of PSHCE at Caterham High School is to deliver a curriculum which is accessible to all and allow our pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. The PSHCE curriculum encourages pupils to understand how they are developing personally, socially and deals with a variety of social and cultural issues that are part of growing up.

We provide our pupils with the chance to explore rights and responsibilities and recognise the importance of being a part of a multicultural world. Pupils are also given the opportunity to play a role in contributing to school decisions and the local community.

There are three core themes that are covered within the curriculum:

1. Health and wellbeing
2. Relationships and Sex Education
3. Living in the wider world

The aims of PSHCE are to enable pupils to:

• Develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to become confident, healthy individuals
• Develop a safe and healthy lifestyle
• Understand what makes a good relationship for others
• Have respect for others in school and in the outside world
• Develop own sense of self-esteem and emotional well-being and encourage others to do so
• To make the most of their own abilities
• Be independent and responsible members of a community
• Develop knowledge of ways in which individuals can contribute to society
• Develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues
• Develop good relationships with other members of the community
• Acquire enduring values and aspirations

PSHCE is taught in a variety of ways that allows for pupils to engage and learn new skills. Within the subject it allows for debates of topical issues, group work that encourages the development of team work, communication and critical thinking skills.

Pupils are also given the opportunity to use PSHCE in their day to day lives through voting in school elections, running a campaign for Youth Parliament, volunteering and raising money for charities.

As a whole school approach PSHCE plays an integral part in the school community and this is done through interesting drop-down days where there is a focus on careers, employability and leadership. It is also implemented into the pastoral curriculum whereby pupils are taught about mental health, how to deal with exam pressure and building positive relationships.

Citizenship Curriculum Statement of Intent

The main aim of Citizenship Education at Caterham High School is to engage all pupils in the local and global world. This encourages pupils to reflect on their role as global citizens and to think critically and proactively about modern society. The course encourages pupils to play an active role in public and democratic life as informed and active citizens. The Citizenship Studies GCSE allows for the undertaking of Citizenship action and for pupils to develop the ability to analyse and comment on five key themes.

A} Living together in the UK

B) Democracy at work in the UK

C) Law and Justice

D) Power and influence

E) Taking Citizenship action

The aims and objectives of Citizenship Studies are to enable pupils to:

• know and understand what democracy is and how it works in the UK, how government works and how democratic and nondemocratic systems of government are different beyond the UK
• know and understand the relationship between the state and citizens, the rights, responsibilities and duties of citizens living and working in the UK and how people participate in democracy
• know and understand the role of the law in society, how laws are shaped and enforced and how the justice system works in England and Wales
• know and understand how taxes are raised and spent by governments and how national, economic and financial policies and decisions relate to individuals
• use and apply knowledge and understanding of key Citizenship ideas and concepts, including democracy, government, justice, equality, rights, responsibilities, participation, community, identity and diversity, to think deeply and critically about a wide range of political, social, economic and ethical issues and questions facing society in local to global contexts.
• use and apply knowledge and understanding as they formulate citizenship enquiries, explore and research citizenship issues and actions, analyse and evaluate information and interpret sources of evidence.

Pupils are also exposed to a variety of learning experiences supported by workshops, visiting speakers and trips to the Houses of Parliament to see democracy, advocacy and politics in action. They are also given the chance to participate in the Alan Senitt project based on raising awareness of different types of discrimination in society. Pupils have been successful in raising awareness about the stigma of mental health and raised over £900 to buy necessities for the local mental health hospital.    

Citizenship education develops the qualities pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. It develops skills such as resilience, team working and critical thinking. 

We want all our pupils to show an interest about their position in the wider world. This will encourage them to impact the world in a positive way in later life. We would like our pupils to become positive citizens who engage with issues of national and international importance such as voting, charitable activity and sustainable development.

At Key Stage 3, students study the following:

Year 7:

• Relationships Education
• Sex Education
• Health Education
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• British Values
• Social Action

Year 8:

• Relationships Education
• Sex Education
• Health Education
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Crime
• Government and Politics
• Social Action

Year 9

• Relationships Education
• Sex Education
• Health Education
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Careers and Employability
• Economic Wellbeing
• Social Action

At Key Stage 4, you can read about the courses on offer in our Options Booklet

2023 Year 9 Options Booklet

At Key Stage 5, you can read about the courses on offer in our Sixth Form Prospectus

For more detailed information about the PSHCE/Citizenship curriculum, please email the subject leader Ms S Saddique at s.saddique@ecaterham.net