Life Education
Overview of Department
Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way to secure bright futures for all.
Key Stage Three and Four Life Education at Rye College
Life Education incorporates the Personal, Social, Health and Education (PSHE) and Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curricula.
Our Life Education curriculum is in line with requirements outlined by the PSHE association to cover three areas: Health and Wellbeing; Living in the Wider world; and Relationships. The aim of the curriculum is for students to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy, safe and prepared for life and work. The knowledge developed through Life Education is fundamental to students being happy, successful and productive members of society. Central to this is students’ ability to believe that they can achieve goals, both academic and personal; to stick to tasks that will help them achieve those goals, even when the reward may be distant or uncertain; and to recover from knocks and challenging periods in their lives.
Within the PSHE curriculum sits the statutory and recommended education for young people not taught in other curriculum subjects. This includes topics such as Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG), personal and financial well-being, mental health, internet safety, drugs, tobacco and alcohol education, Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), PREVENT strategy, bullying and current affairs.
The teaching of RSHE became statutory in September 2020. The purpose of RSHE is to help students to develop the vital skills to make informed decisions about their sexual health, wellbeing, self-esteem and relationships. It can also help to build resilience and gain an understanding of when and how to ask for support.
The content is taught through a spiral curriculum wherein topics are repeated annually so that knowledge can be developed, and concepts addressed at age-appropriate levels. This is supplemented by assemblies, our Tutor programme and bespoke events. Lessons are largely discussion based, where students are encouraged to share their own and listen to others’ views and beliefs in a safe, mutually respecting environment. Further details can be found in the PSHE policy.
Key Documents
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Employable
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Committed
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Kind
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Positive
Knowledge Summaries - Term 1
Knowledge Summary - Year 7 - Life Education
Knowledge Summary - Year 8 - Life Education
Knowledge Summary - Year 9 - Life Education