Life Skills

Life Skills continues to be an integral part of the pastoral life of the school. It is used to provide knowledge and understanding that can help students develop skills that they will be able to use throughout their lives.

The content is delivered by a mix of Form Tutors, internal and external speakers. The delivery of certain Life Skills topics is positioned during the year to dovetail with the delivery of other relevant topics in other subjects.

All subjects will also encourage the development of core values in Life Skills such as honesty, integrity, organisation and the ability to make informed choices.

In Year 8, the students have an allocated lesson each week. Initially these sessions focus on the challenges the students will face in Year 8 and then move onto their wider role in society. Some Life Skills ideas are also covered in assemblies and the students are given the opportunity to take part in assemblies to encourage self-awareness and confidence.

Course materials:

Materials adapted from various sources including the PSHE Association, Childnet and Rise Above.

Relationships

Building and maintaining positive relationships
Teamwork and listening skills
Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination
Understanding the difference between reality and online imagery
Anti-bullying (including cyber-bullying)

Health and Wellbeing

Understanding mental health and emotional wellbeing
Self-esteem
Healthy lifestyles - diet and exercise
Keeping safe
Tobacco, alcohol and drugs

Living in the Wider World

Study skills
Choices and pathways
Introduction to Unifrog and careers

How will I be assessed?

Tutors assess student progress throughout the course, based on engagement in class activities, questioning and debate.

At the end of each unit, students also complete a formative written assessment, based on self-reflection and understanding of the content, along with a short summative quiz. The data from these assessments is used to inform onward planning and consolidation of the course.

If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mrs Sarah-Jane Gilbert, Designated Safeguarding Lead & Head of PSHE, on sjg@farlingtonschoool.com