Ambition Curriculum
The PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) Ambition Curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to lead healthy, positive lives, while also preparing them for future challenges in society and enabling them to be employable citizens who can have a positive and productive impact on society. The curriculum is structured across all key stages, focusing on a range of topics that promote emotional wellbeing, careers, sexual health, safety, personal development, and awareness of social issues. Our Ambition curriculum has been deliberately sequenced to build on knowledge overtime and to allow students to make links in topics that build schema and avoid misconceptions and cognitive strain.
In Year 7, students are introduced to our Academy virtues and explore emotional wellbeing, building healthy friendships, and the harmful effects of social media. The curriculum also covers topics such as healthy eating, sleep patterns, and puberty for both boys and girls. Students learn about the importance of dental care and gain awareness of serious issues like self-harm, homophobia, female genital mutilation (FGM), county lines, and substance abuse. These discussions are designed to lay the foundation for developing emotional intelligence, understanding risks, and fostering respectful relationships.
Year 8 builds on the previous year's learning by focusing on more complex social issues and personal safety. Students engage in discussions about online safety and the impact of their online presence, particularly in relation to careers and digital footprints. Equality, diversity, and LGBTQ+ issues are explored, alongside the challenge of homophobic language. Additionally, students learn about contraception methods, managing external influences, the risks of sexting, eating disorders, and the dangers of self-harm. The curriculum addresses body image concerns linked to social media and educates students about serious topics such as human trafficking, modern slavery, and radicalisation, promoting social responsibility and awareness.
In Year 9, the curriculum expands to include more practical life skills and critical awareness of societal issues. Students learn about income and expenditure, making informed decisions, and selecting courses for the future. They engage with drugs education, learning about substance abuse and its harmful effects. Topics such as knife crime, peer pressure, and building self-esteem are addressed, empowering students to make positive choices. Financial literacy is also introduced, with lessons on understanding credit, debit, and the consequences of gambling and debt. Furthermore, students explore the sensitive topics of bereavement, loss, sexual harassment, relationship boundaries, and consent. Online safety is revisited with a focus on catfishing, online dating, and the portrayal of sex in the media, reinforcing the importance of consent and safe relationships.
In Year 10, students explore a range of critical issues, such as the ethical debates surrounding abortion and euthanasia, with a focus on the sanctity of life and decision-making. Students also gain an understanding of online reputation management and the dangers of cybercrime. The curriculum emphasises employability skills, including building a CV, preparing for interviews through role-play, and the importance of qualities that employers value. Additionally, students are taught about the prevention of STIs and STDs, along with support services available. Sensitive topics such as pornography, the risks of sharing nudes, healthy eating, memory, and revision techniques are also addressed. By linking these topics to real-life scenarios, the curriculum prepares students for future personal and professional success.
Year 11 students continue to build on their knowledge with a focus on more complex issues, such as extremism, recognising warning signs, and understanding the importance of good sexual relationships. They explore topics including contraception, grooming, online safety, and the importance of consent and intimacy. The curriculum also addresses sensitive issues like domestic abuse, the dangers of drugs and vaping, and the harmful impact of county lines and exploitation. Students are supported in building self-worth and learning about success, as well as preparing for the job market and managing stress and anxiety. Mental health support is integrated throughout, with practical advice on revision timetables and coping mechanisms for academic pressure.