PDC/RSE Introduction

Head of Personal Development & Citizenship: Annie Bell - abell@ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk ; 01332 843236

The school wants to ensure that students are resilient, self-assured and challenging learners, both to themselves and within any other cultural context. Personal Development and Citizenship is one of the vehicles that we use to support this.

Personal development and Citizenship at The Ecclesbourne School is built around the schools aims and values which are;

  1. A broad and balanced curriculum that develops the knowledge and skills pupils need to thrive now and for a fulfilling future
  2. Develop pupils’ resilience and confidence in themselves and their capacity for growth
  3. Ensure pupils feel valued, value others and learn to work together to make a positive contribution
  4. Ensure pupils stay safe and healthy in mind and body
  5. Develop creativity in an innovative learning environment
  6. Appreciate the spiritual, moral, social and cultural richness of the world at large

We also actively promote and develop students’ understanding and appreciation for the five core British values (tolerance, rule of law, democracy, individual liberty and mutual respect) and the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural strands.

In Personal Development and Citizenship, the following areas are covered;

  • Careers Education
  • Relationship and Sex Education
  • Citizenship
  • Alcohol and Drug Awareness
  • Wider appreciation of the world at large
  • Democracy and Global Citizens

When teaching the above we refer to the follow statutory guidance.

  • National Curriculum for Citizenship (2013)
  • The Dfe paper Relationship's education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education.
  • The CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) set out by the government in 2017.

However, our personal development curriculum goes beyond the national curriculum. It offers unique learning experiences which provide students with enriched cultural capital and allows them to develop as well-rounded young people. The school believes in the holistic development of its students, offering them more chances so they have more choices in the future. This is shown by the diversity of our enrichment program where students have an opportunity to take part in many different areas.

Personal Development and Citizenship has strands across all areas of the curriculum, but it is given prominence in;

  • Fifty-minute weekly lessons that students undertake with their form tutor
  • Science lessons (Relationship and Sex Education)
  • ICT Lesson (On-line Safety)
  • The Assembly Program
  • Thought for the Day
  • Drop down days/Lessons
  • Enrichment Activities
  • Tutor Time

More detail of what topics are taught and when is indicated in the relevant pages on the website.

Please also refer to the following school policies on our website for further information.

Relationship and Sex Education Policy
Work Experience Policy
Careers Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy
Curriculum