Citizenship

In this Curriculum Area, we aim to help students:

• develop their confidence, responsibility and make the most of their abilities.
• develop a healthy, safer lifestyle.
• gain the skills necessary to lead a life with Financial and Economic awareness.
• enjoy lessons gaining skills necessary for a productive future.
• take part in activities that allow them to make a contribution to the local and wider communities.
• develop good relationships and respect the differences between people.
• know and understand about becoming informed citizens.
• develop skills of enquiry and communication.
• develop skills of participation and responsible action.
• continually develop the skills and practice of all staff.
• adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement in every aspect of the delivery of all subjects within the curriculum area.

Within the Citizenship Curriculum Area students will have the opportunity to study three main elements; Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, Citizenship and Vocational Education. The Curriculum area has responsibility for delivering the Level 1/2 Preparation for Working Life qualification at Key Stage 4. In the Sixth form we are also responsible for A-Level Psychology.

CPSHE is a compulsory subject in Key Stages 3 and 4, however, opportunities are available through other subjects and activities across the school to assist in meeting the aims and objectives of Citizenship and PSHE Education. Citizenship and PSHE Education incorporates the national curriculum framework for Personal, Social and Health and Economic Education, and makes a large contribution to delivery of the National Curriculum statutory order for Citizenship and Work Related Learning with many aspects of Enterprise.

There are currently four classrooms designated to the curriculum area all situated in block nine. Each classroom is equipped with a projector or an interactive whiteboard. All four of the classrooms have the additional benefit of computers for students with full internet access and printing facilities therefore allowing direct integration into the day to day processes required for the modern curriculum.

The curriculum has a centralised bank of multimedia resources as well as general teaching resources to allow lessons to be fully interactive for the student.

We have a separate area, which is a material storeroom and cutting/preparation area.

The curriculum area also has a number of teambuilding resources such as; K'Nex, Sexual health resources and drug awareness teaching aids.

Key Stage 3:

The programmes of study for the Curriculum Area focus on elements from the four interrelated strands of personal development, health and safety, relationships and becoming an active citizen. Timing and content are appropriate for the student's needs and priorities in each year. Sex and Relationship Education, Drugs Education (smoking and alcohol), Healthy Lifestyle and Inter Personal Skills are central to this Key Stage.

Key Stage 4:

As well as continuing and developing the areas introduced in KS3 a further element of the Curriculum Area is preparation for one examination in Year 10. This qualification gives the student accreditation for the work they do within Citizenship whilst helping to prepare them for life post 16. In Year 11 students are given assistance and guidance in researching and choosing post 16 options suitable for them from all possible choices.

Year 11 students are guided through the procedure for applications Post 16 and are given information on all options at all institutions to allow them to make informed choices about their future. Student are encouraged to visit all open days and careers events available to them and to use the Lincs2 website that has been designed for use within the local area. We endeavour to give all students a one to one interview to aid them in these important decisions and a private interview room is available to accommodate this.

Key Stage 5:

A level students can study AQA Psychology specification A at both AS and A2.

In addition to the taught programmes the Curriculum Area offers a variety of activities and opportunities for the students.

Duke of Edinburgh - every year we arrange for a speaker from the DofE service to come in to Tollbar Academy and talk to every student in Year 9. This takes place during a Citizenship lesson in their class to allow for a less formal presentation were the students will feel comfortable asking questions.

Lifestyle - this is a community-based project run by Humberside Police aimed at students using their time during the Summer Holiday. The Curriculum Area arranges for the local Community officer to attend House assemblies to promote this competition. Following on from this in the Autumn term we also arrange for a special assembly when Humberside Police will attend Tollbar Academy to give out certificates and prizes to the students who participated in this activity.

Taster Days and Career Fairs - working closely with Grimsby Institute for Further and Higher Education we arrange for any student interested to obtain a place on a taster day. These days give our students the opportunity to 'have a go' at a course they may be interested in for post-16 options. We also work hard to promote careers fairs available locally and to arrange for employers to visit the Academy.

Young People's Support Services - we have a very good relationship with the Careers advice section of this agency. Working closely with YPSS we arrange for all students to be seen for one to one careers interviews.

Education through Theatre and Outside Speakers - when possible we take the opportunity to invite these providers into Tollbar Academy. Recent examples of these have been for the Samaritans, Homelessness, Road Safety (seatbelts), NELC Neat streets, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Aim Higher and SmartRisk charity. The feedback we receive from students is always positive.

• The study of PSHE and Citizenship provides students with the knowledge, ability and confidence to leave the establishment as rounded young citizens of the local and wider community.
• Level 1/2 Preparation for Working Life is employer recognised as an adult qualification and can assist pupils in the world of work. The course covers CV, application letters and interview techniques preparing students for progression on to further education or work.
• A-Level Psychology allow various routes into further study in higher education around the world in subjects such criminal physiology, sociology, politics and human behavioural sciences.
• All topics covered within Citizenship provide a good progression route to more advanced qualifications. e.g. A-Levels offered at Tollbar, courses at FE colleges and higher education courses.