Personal Development

Fundamental British Values and Citizenship

High-quality citizenship education helps to provide students with knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them to play a full and active part in society. Within our curriculum the academy provides opportunities to:

1. Foster students’ keen awareness and understanding of democracy, government and how laws are made and upheld; 
2. Equip students with the skills and knowledge to explore political and social issues critically, to weigh evidence, debate and make reasoned arguments; and
3. Prepare students to take their place in society as responsible citizens, manage their money well and make sound financial decisions.

The citizenship framework is delivered during bespoke focused weeks, once a module during tutor time (Key Stage 3 and 4), action days (all students), and college lead assemblies. Our aim is to provide students with the knowledge and understanding which will equip them with the tools needed to become active citizens. A key part of our citizenship curriculum also lies within the opportunities students have to volunteer and carry out responsible activities; our Student Council, the Diana Award, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and National Citizen Service programmes are just a few of the initiatives we offer as part of our co-curricular enrichment programme. Our co-curricular enrichment programme enables students to pursue their talents, as well as make positive contributions to their local, national, and global communities.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) still forms an integral part of our personal development provision here at the academy and is drawn from a wide variety of sources including our RSHE curriculum. Our provision enables all students to leave us with a sound understanding of risk and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions. We tackle relationships, health, sex, drug, and financial education not only through our robust tutor programme, but also through aspects of our curriculum. This enables our students to understand and live up to their responsibilities towards themselves, their families, communities, and society as a whole.

Our aim is to provide an engaging and inclusive Religious Studies curriculum that allows all students to reach their full potential, develop a love of learning and understand how important different religions are and how they impact the world today. It is more important than ever to understand the way the world is affected by different world views and world religions, and to engage in debate and conversations surrounding key topics and moral issues we face. As an IB World School, skills and attributes such as open-mindedness, caring, and principled form a core part of our Religious Studies curriculum. Students gain the opportunity to learn why the world is the way it is today and become inquisitive, globally aware citizens. 

As an academy, we follow the Kent Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Our curriculum focuses on the six key world religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism and gives students the opportunity to analyse and interpret a wide range of religious, philosophical and ethical concepts in increasing depth. Our delivery gives students: 

1. exposure to issues of diversity within and between religions and the ways in which religion and spirituality are expressed in various platforms;
2. opportunities to expand and balance their evaluations of the impact religions can have on individuals, communities and societies, locally, nationally and globally;
3. opportunities to understand the importance of dialogue between and among different religions and beliefs;
4. opportunities to understand how religion and belief contribute to community cohesion, recognising the various perceptions people have regarding the roles of religion in the world.

Our Religious Education framework is delivered via MYP lessons (Key Stage 3), tutor time (Key Stage 4 and 5), and action days (all students).  Students are encouraged to reflect on the differences between religions and why this belief has become integral to someone’s faith. Our curriculum is constantly reviewed to ensure that it meets the needs of our students and shapes them to be well-rounded individuals that are knowledgeable and able to analyse and think independently about the world around them.

Our computing curriculum is designed to equip our students with computational thinking and creativity to understand the ever increasing digital world. Our curriculum helps to foster students’ digitality against the strands that interlink our everyday lives. Students are given the opportunity to complete challenges across a range of ICT and Digital elements. Literacy is also embedded within the program, helping to improve literacy rates across the school. A key focus is on developing students’ digital ability, creativity and safety.  As a consequence, students can go on to be happy and successful members of today’s digital society. 

Our computing framework is delivered through MYP lessons (Key Stage 3), tutor time (Key Stage 4), action days and bespoke assemblies (all students).  In Key Stage 4 students participate in the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, which helps them to develop skills and also accrue a portfolio of evidence which can be transferred to the workplace.

Our vision is to empower students to make inspirational, independent, impartial decisions by imparting knowledge of all future options, within the confines of Career Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG).  We aim to provide an effective careers programme that offers students advice, experience, and contact with employers so that they aspire, make good choices and understand what they need to do to reach and succeed in their chosen career. Our support is designed to prepare students for the next phase of education, training or employment, so that their transition is positive and successful.

Careers education is in line with the Government guidance via the Gatsby Benchmarks; it is delivered both discretely within lessons and our pastoral programmes, with students being asked to reflect on careers experiences on a regular basis.  Working with business mentors, local employers, FE, HE providers, and universities, our young people have many opportunities to explore different pathways in order to be informed about options and onward destinations. Students receive personal guidance and access to both academic and technical routes at key points throughout their educational journey. The impact of our Careers Education has seen a strong and consistent number of young people secure their preferred onward pathways at the end of Key Stage 4 and 5.

The academy offers a wide range of school clubs and enrichment opportunities which helps to develop a variety of passions and talents. Students are actively involved in shaping the opportunities we offer through the Student Council and therefore, opportunities can vary throughout the academic year.  More information can be found here.

Co-Curricular Provision