Key Stage 3
All pupils in KS3 benefit from one session per fortnight devoted to a combination of personal, social and health education, citizenship and careers. The programme covers a variety of themes such as:
- personal development
- belonging
- needs, rights and responsibilities
- risk taking
- bullying
- nutrition
- equal opportunities
- local and national government
- the media
Outside agencies including, for example, the Police Youth Unit, Croydon Community Health, Drug Concern and the Samaritans support the delivery of the programme. Speakers are also invited to assembly to complement the taught programme.
Pupils also benefit from many of these themes being reinforced through other subjects in a cross-curricular approach.
During year 9, careers education and guidance is provided for pupils in preparation for making their GCSE options choices. Kudos, an interactive networked careers programme, is used to guide and support pupils in their research.
Key Stage 4
In year 10 all pupils take part in a social education programme which has four parts. The programme is delivered on a carousel:
- RE
- Citizenship
- PSHE
- Careers Education
In year 11 pupils are given the opportunity to study a Short Course GCSE in either RE or Citizenship. All pupils will also receive some PSHE input from outside speakers.
The year 10 Careers Module builds on option choices made in year 9 and prepares pupils for work experience and transfer into college, training or work. In partnership with their tutors, pupils negotiate their school reference which records the usual areas of progress required by outside agencies.
The reference is used in year 11 to support applications to a variety of post-16 providers, work experience and as a basis for guidance during pupils’ individual interviews with the careers adviser. Representatives from a variety of post-16 and training providers are regular participants in the year 11 programme. Pupils are also withdrawn from lessons on a rotating schedule for specialist careers advice. The approach meets the needs of individual pupils and groups of pupils where they share a common career goal. All pupils benefit from an agreed and informed individual transition plan that maps out their route post-16.
All pupils in year 11 take part in a work experience programme, which is administered by Croydon Work Experience. Pupils are placed in a wide variety of companies for two weeks in January. This experience always produces very positive feedback from pupils and employers alike.