Citizenship

Citizenship at Sheldon Heath aims at enabling our students to be active and informed citizens. Citizenship lessons teach the skills and values that enhance democratic life not only in the community within school but also in later life. Citizenship is complemented by non-statutory guidelines for PSHE at key stages 3 and 4.

Recognising diversity, understanding and responding to difference and communicating ideas, opinions are the skills that lie at the heart of citizenship in our school. Our citizenship and PSHE lessons:

• Provide students with opportunities to discuss and address real-life issues, and to participate in activities that make a difference in school and the wider community.
• Provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in society.
• Help students become more self-confident by promoting spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Citizenship promotes the school ethos and values in the community in a range of ways:

• Student participation in the school and community life.
• Links with with community partners are forged.
• Promotes inclusion, positive behaviour, respect and responsibility.

Citizenship is taught in hourly lessons to all year groups. Elements of citizenship are taught in other subjects for example, students in geography lesson learn about climate change or in history about slavery and human rights. Citizenship is also developed through assemblies, extra-curricular activities, school council and the ethos of the school.

Success

This school year, students have created assemblies and lead on campaigns on issues that they hold dear, such as anti-bullying campaigns and red-nose fundraising and assemblies. They have also participated in anti-crime workshops delivered by a theatre group. Classroom based presentations and discussions lead by our school-based police officer have also developed students’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities and of the issues associated with knife crime.