Futures (personal development)

Key stage 3

Futures (personal development) is delivered to all students as part of the core curriculum. The subject aims to teach students broader life skills through a curriculum encompassing citizenship, financial education, relationships and sex education, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) and careers.

The programme is supplemented with a range of employer engagement activities and a work experience programme as well as cross-curricular activities.

We aim to:

• give students the knowledge and skills to be successful beyond school life
• enable students to make thoughtful and appropriate decisions
• play a full role in our democratic society by being knowledgeable about their role as a citizen
• manage risk and inform students how to keep themselves safe from harm in a variety of situations
• support students to manage money and be aware of their own attitudes towards money
• develop students’ ability to articulate their opinions and views on a wide range of topical issues, respectfully

Key stage 4

Futures (personal development) is a compulsory subject at key stage 4 and is taught for one lesson each week in years 9, 10 and 11. An important aim of the course is to support students in feeling confident about making post 16 choices. CV building, job applications and interview techniques all form part of the careers guidance work. Careers resources are used to identify and explore a range of potential career routes so that students are in a strong position for moving on and making the right decisions at the end of year 11.

As part of this programme, students are also guided in building a personal record of achievement (RoA) document, which can then be used to support further education and/or or job interviews.

What will I learn?

Students will study aspects of citizenship and what it means to be a good citizen. By focusing on a range of current topical issues, students are encouraged to think hard about their own values and opinions, their role in society as young citizens, and about some of the big decisions they face as citizens of the future. Attitudes towards different groups in society are challenged and discussed.

The nature of the topics discussed can be difficult and be based on opinions. The topic of sex and relationships is explored including contraception, relationships, sexuality and support available to young people.

Finance modules are also delivered and include student finance, budgeting, loans and borrowing, and preparation for students for independent living.

The emphasis in all these lessons is on good quality discussion and sharing thoughts and ideas, preparing students for their role in wider society.