CHARACTER Programme

CHARACTER

Intent 

At The Oaks Academy Personal Development is at the core of what we do and enables our children to become independent, confident, healthy and responsible members of society, as well as developing the “whole child” intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. Through our whole-school approach to Personal Development, it is our belief that excellence in these areas will lead to excellence across the curriculum and beyond in later life.  To support our clear message around personal growth The Oaks defines this as the CHARACTER curriculum. 

PSCHE lessons form one element of the Personal Development curriculum. This curriculum equips children with relevant and meaningful content, which is supported through a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. With an ever-changing society, we are able to provide our children with a strong understanding of the diverse world around them and support them in playing a positive role in contributing to the school and the wider community. 

Implementation 

All children in year 7-9 have 2 distinct CHARACTER lessons across their 2-week timetable and once a fortnight in years 10 & 11. These lessons are delivered by form tutors whilst also utilising expertise from outside speakers. The planning and structure of this delivery is mapped across the school and is also supported by a clear form time and assembly programme which is mapped against an inclusion calendar. 

Planning and ensuring the facilitation of an appropriate PSCHE curriculum is the SLT lead for Community and Personal Development. SLT will ensure that staff are provided with the appropriate training and support required to deliver an effective Personal Development programme, through distinct lessons and a weekly form time programme. They will plan and co-ordinate with the Key Stage directors an effective assembly programme that supports a clear message around CHARACTER, its purpose and its values at The Oaks. 

At key stage 3, students will build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values they have acquired and developed during the primary phase. PSCHE education acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. It teaches the knowledge and skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media.  

At key stage 4, students deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during key stage 3. PSCHE education reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others. 

PSCHE Curriculum Map

 

CHARACTER lesson implementation 

There are 6 spiral themes to the CHARACTER programme which run across year 7-11. Each theme is then broken down further to ensure compliance with Dfe statutory RSE and Health guidelines, Gatsby benchmarks, PSHE association Core Themes and CDI Framework 

• Life Beyond School 
• Celebrating Diversity and Equality 
• Staying safe online and offline 
• Health and Wellbeing 
• Rights Responsibilities and British Values 
• Relationships and Sex Education 

Year 7	Year 8		Year 9		Year 10		Year 11
Health & Wellbeing
Introduction to puberty   Puberty (Girls focus)   Puberty (boys focus)   Personal and oral hygiene   Growing up and FGM   Assertiveness, consent and hormones   Self esteem and empowerment	Health & wellbeing   Self harm   Positive body image   Dove – body image   Types of bullying   Healthy eating and cholesterol   Child abuse		Self esteem changes   Bullying in all its forms   Dealing with grief and loss   Media & airbrushing   Cancer prevention & healthy lifestyles   Child on child abuse		Child abuse (CSE)   Common mental health issues   Promoting emotional wellbeing		Teenage pregnancy   Love & abuse are not the same   Cancer   Organ donation & donating blood
Life Beyond School
Introduction to puberty   Puberty (Girls focus)   Puberty (boys focus)   Personal and oral hygiene   Growing up and FGM   Assertiveness, consent and hormones   Self esteem and empowerment	Health & wellbeing   Self harm   Positive body image   Dove – body image   Types of bullying   Healthy eating and cholesterol   Child abuse		Self esteem changes   Bullying in all its forms   Dealing with grief and loss   Media & airbrushing   Cancer prevention & healthy lifestyles   Child on child abuse		Child abuse (CSE)   Common mental health issues   Promoting emotional wellbeing		Teenage pregnancy   Love & abuse are not the same   Cancer   Organ donation & donating blood
Relationships & Sex Education
Consent and boundaries   Respect & boundaries   What makes a good friend   Friendships & Managing them   Being positive & Respectful   Pressure & Influence   What does it mean to be a man	Introduction to RSE   Healthy Relationships   Dealing with conflict   Gender Identity   Introduction to contraception		Sexual consent and the law    FGM and the law    Delaying sexual activity    Why have sex?    Why have sex – part 2    What are STIs    Contraception    Contraception – part 2    Exploring the realities of contraception    Sexual harassment and stalking    HIV and AIDS		Porn life V Real Life   Domestic Abuse   Sexual Violence		Peer on Peer bullying   Fertility & what impacts it   Alcohol and bad choices   Importance of sexual health
Right Responsibilities & British Values
Why is politics important   How is our country run   Elections and campaigning   Politics and debating	Law making in the UK   Criminals laws and society   Prisons, reform and punishment   Desert Island living   Building a community   Critical thinking and fake news   What is a cult?		Conspiracies and Extremist narratives   Extremism in all its forms   What is terrorism   Proud to be British   Radicalisation process   Counter terrorism   Anti-Semitism		LGBT rights and British values   Exploring human rights   Exploring Britishness and British values
Celebrating Diversity & Equality
Multicultural Britain    What is your identity    Nature v Nurture    Equality act 2010    Prejudice and discrimination    Challenging Islamophobia	LGBT what is it?    LGBT homophobia in schools    Supporting those that are LGBT    Challenging homophobia    Transphobia    Coming out				International organisations    Fair Trade    Peace, war and conflict    Women’s rights and equality    #Metoo movement and Time’s Up
Staying safe online & offline
Avoiding gangs and criminal behaviour    Staying safe online     Fortnite grooming and online gaming   What is alcohol   E-Cigs and Vaping      Energy drinks	County lines, what is it and who is at risk?    Substance misuse    Online safety – cyber bullying    Grooming boys and girls    Drugs education – alcohol safety    Child exploitation and online protection    Keeping data safe		Introduction to drugs    Different types of addiction    Cannabis products    Drug Classification    Party Drugs and dangers    Exploring illegal drugs and effects    Volatile substance abuse		Honour based violence    Forced marriages    Modern day Slavery    Prevent Knife Crime		Virtual reality and live streaming   Online reputation and digital footprints     New psychoactive drugs   Cosmetic and aesthetic procedures