Ethics, Philosophy & Citizenship (EPC)

We believe that students deserve a broad and ambitious EPC curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which ignites curiosity and prepares them well for future learning or employment. Our EPC curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

  • Explore different cultures, beliefs and opinions to develop students understanding of the world and to help the to create their own views about relevant issues;
  • Enhance students reading ability through the delivery of carefully chosen texts to support reciprocal reading;
  • Enjoy a wide range of topic areas that include ethics, philosophy, economical wellbeing and issues relating to modern life;
  • Develop cultural capital that will help remove barriers to achievement in school, future learning and the world of work;
  • Experience learning that is ‘outside the academic’ throughout the year;
  • Develop an understanding of Relationship and Sexual Education including healthy relationships and LGBTQ+ relationships;
  • Produce ‘meaningful work’ of which they can be proud;
  • Articulate and express their ideas, views and opinions about a wide range of topics clearly, confidently and respectfully;
  • Develop their character, including resilience, confidence and independence, so that they contribute positively to the life of the school, their local community and the wider environment.

EPC is tailored specifically to meet the needs of the Academy’s local context whilst at the same time equipping pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to play their full part in an ever changing world  of the 21st century.  Our programme includes the delivery of RE, RSE, PSHE, SMSC and fundamental British Values. EPC is delivered through a combination of: discrete timetabled lessons, tutor time and assembly programme, along with various cross curricular links across a wide range of subjects.

At Key Stage 3, pupils explore an array of pertinent issues such as gangs, radicalisation, displacement and extremism through half-termly topics such as; Health & Wellbeing, Careers, Diversity, Animal Rights and Wealth & Poverty.  The inappropriate use of mobile technology and social media is also reinforced through the Computing curriculum as well as being emphasised and revisited in our tutor time and assembly programme,  promoting for example national ‘Safer Internet Day’ across the academy and key stages.

Religious Studies is also embedded throughout Key Stage 3, as pupils are able to explore the Christianity, Islam and Hinduism through the lens of ‘What would a religious person do in this situation?’ in order to develop skills of reflection, respect and tolerance. A key question approach, as referenced in the North Lincolnshire locally agreed SACRE, is also adopted where possible to allow pupils to engage in an enquiry-based approach to learning; appraising varied responses to key questions such as, ‘Does God create evil?’, ‘Why is there suffering?’ ‘Is death the end?’ and ‘What is good and challenging about being a teenage Sikh/Buddhist/Muslim in Britain today? This enables pupils to develop responses of their own and to develop their own views across a range of enquiry areas.

Relationship and sex education

Our RSE curriculum provision gives due regard to the DfE’s statutory guidance on sex and relationship education as well as focussing in more detail on issues most relevant to pupils in our local context. Our RSE is provided through Big Talk, which uses award winning age appropriate relationship & sex education across all our year groups during the Autumn term. Specific needs, as they arise are responded to and incorporated into our planning, plus curriculum content is once again ‘stepped’ to ensure that key issues are revisited in later years and in greater depth.  Where possible we also aim to bring in outside companies/agencies to deliver bespoke sessions to meet the specific needs of our pupils in Year 10 and Year 11.

For more information about discussing RSE with your child please click on the link: Sex Education Advice for Parents – Practical Help from Experts (bigtalkeducation.co.uk)

SMSC

The Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils has always been at the heart of the education offered in Delta Academies.   The Academy’s approach to SMSC is embedded in the Delta ethos of mutual respect, partnership working and collaboration; an approach that we believe is fundamental to a full and positive participation in life in modern Britain.

PSHE Themes

Broad PSHE themes are allocated throughout each academic year and revisited so that they can be reinforced and developed over the years:

  • Half term 1: Diversity and Identity
  • Half term 2 and 3: Relationships and Risk
  • Half term 4 and 5: Rights & Responsibilities, Aspirations and Power
  • Half term 6: Healthy Lifestyles and British Values

Examples of how fundamental British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs are actively promoted across the Academy and include:

  • Weekly year group assemblies led by academy leaders or guest speakers
  • Student Voice activities
  • Student Council and North Lincolnshire Youth Council.
  • Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) lessons and Step up Days
  • Religious Education and life topics
  • Healthy schools’ initiatives
  • Cross curricular initiatives
  • After school clubs and enrichment activities
  • Charity work
  • Stonewall activities and Pride groups
  • Sporting events
  • Links with the wider community including ‘Plastic Free Friday’
  • Educational trips and visits and other opportunities for learning outside the classroom.