Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is an important part of our curriculum. We follow the statutory framework outlined by the DfE, ensuring that all content is covered at a stage that is age appropriate. Whilst there are elements woven into a large number of subject curricular, the statutory elements are delivered through PSHE, Science and RE. Below you can find information on the key areas that are delivered in each year group. (Where there are ‘blank’ sections within the table, there is no specific foci on RSE content within that subject for that year group.)

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Year 13

At SJB, our PSHE program strives to treat students as unique individuals, fostering their abilities to become content, secure, and accomplished members of society. Our goal is to create citizens who will live their lives embracing our school values of Respect, Aspire, Integrity, Love and Service.

Every week all students have one period of PSHE that is delivered by their Form Tutor. This provides a comfortable and open environment for students to explore the important and sometimes challenging topics covered within the curriculum. Our curriculum is built around six key themes: Mental and emotional health; relationships; physical and sexual health; citizenship; careers; and economics, finance and e-safety.

More information about what the students study can be found below:

KS3

In Key stage 3, PSHE will equip students with the skills and opportunities to understand the foundations of positive and thriving relationships within their local communities. Pupils will investigate the essential principles of British values, to understand their own rights while recognising their obligation to uphold the rights of others. Additionally, in accordance with statutory guidance (informed by the DfE) the curriculum includes topics on relationships and sexual education, taught in conjunction with the core gospel values of love, respect, and dignity for all.

Our career guidance is integrated into PSHE, allowing students to explore diverse career paths and prospects while contemplating their personal aspirations.

Furthermore, students will be encouraged to stay informed about current events, enabling them to express well-informed perspectives and contribute significantly to discussions concerning social, economic, and political matters.

KS4

At Key stage 4, the PSHE curriculum will build upon the skills and knowledge students will have developed within the KS3 module. This way students will further their understanding in key areas such as Economics, Finance, Mental Wellbeing and Healthy Relationships. Students will also further their understanding of ‘Career Development’ in preparation for their next steps.

The curriculum also includes Relationship and Sex Education which is supported by our school chaplain. These lessons will provide students with informative education inspired by the core gospel values.

Our career guidance is integrated into PSHE, allowing students to explore diverse career paths and prospects while contemplating their personal aspirations. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to stay informed about current events, enabling them to express well-informed perspectives and contribute significantly to discussions concerning social, economic, and political matters.

KS5

At Key stage 5, The goal of PSHE is to offer students opportunities to best prepare themselves for adult life. Students will cover a variety of topics, these topics will include themes of; Emotional Wellbeing, Financial Literacy, Healthy Relationships and Discrimination, as well as Developing Independence post 6th form.

The curriculum also includes Relationship and Sex Education which is supported by our school chaplain. These lessons will provide students with informative education inspired by the core gospel values.

Our career guidance is integrated into PSHE, allowing students to explore diverse career paths and prospects while contemplating their personal aspirations.

Furthermore, students will be encouraged to stay informed about current events, enabling them to express well-informed perspectives and contribute significantly to discussions concerning social, economic, and political matters.

PSHE Curriculum Overview 23-24

	Y7	Y8	Y9	Y10	Y11	Y12	Y13
Autumn 1	Mental and emotional health	Mental and emotional health	E-safety	Economics, finance and e-safety	Careers	Mental & emotional health	Careers
Autumn 2	E-safety	Careers	Mental & emotional health	Relationships	Mental & emotional health	Careers	Relationships
Spring 1	Physical health	Physical health	Careers	Sexual health	Sexual health	Relationships	Economics, finance & e-safety
Spring 2	Careers	Economics, finance & e-safety	Citizenship	Mental & emotional health	Citizenship	Physical & Sexual health	Citizenship
Summer 1	Economics, finance	Relationships	Economics, finance & e-safety	Citizenship	Exam Revision	Economics, finance & e-safety	Exam Revision
Summer 2	Relationships	Citizenship	Relationships & Sexual health	Careers	N/A	Citizenship	NA

Mental & emotional health

Relationships

Physical & sexual health

Citizenship

Careers

Economics, finance & e-safety

Please bear with us whilst this section is being updated

Studies show that reading for pleasure makes a significant difference to children’s educational performance as a child’s reading skills are directly linked to their success in school; their literacy level impacts on their success in all other subject areas. Children with good literacy skills do well in other subjects as they are able to analyse and comprehend a range of texts more easily, as well as being able to express their ideas and knowledge, both verbally and in writing, more fluently.

As children develop their reading skills, they also develop their reading comprehension, that is, their ability to understand a written passage of text. It is the bridge between being a passive reader, who takes nothing from what they have just read, and an active reader who engages with what they are reading and who reads with an open and questioning mind.

This is the crucial link to becoming a skilled reader: essential for a positive academic, professional and personal life.

At SJB, we want to wholeheartedly encourage a life-long love of reading amongst all our students and give them the opportunity to encounter characters, situations and viewpoints that mirror their own lives as well as giving them a window into the lives of others. As part of this, we encourage students to read for at least 20 minutes every day – it doesn’t matter whether they pick up a fiction or non-fiction text, autobiography, football annual or comic book, it’s the time spent reading that matters!

All students have access to a wide-variety of books in our English classroom book corners as well as a wealth of non-fiction articles on “The Day” via a link on their iPad – this is a great place to start if you don’t have any books to hand at home – and of course, your child’s teachers are more than happy to recommend a book if there is a particular topic/genre your child is enthused about.

We also please ask, that you encourage your child to read at home and support them in their journey to becoming accomplished readers; helping to set them up for success in the future (and a lifetime of enjoying the magical world of books!).

Below you can find links to our recommended reading lists for KS3:

Year 7 Mastery Reading ListYear 8 Mastery Reading List

If none of the books on our reading lists catch your eye, then you may like to try the Bookfinder. This tool allows you to search by reading age and theme to get a selection of bespoke recommendations just for you.

Here at SJB, we don’t just value what happens inside the classroom, but also what happens out of it. We believe that a well-balanced, broad education, and certainly one that gets the best out of the children, should combine curricular and extracurricular activities. The activities we run, as well as day trips, residential and international trips and reflection days help to shape our students and give them experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Running activities is also a fantastic way for students to discover their hidden talents and build long-lasting relationships with their peers.

Where possible, our Year 7 and 8 students are expected to take up two activities per week, one of which should be a sporting or outdoor activity, but they can always do more! The schedule of activities is published termly, and students must sign up through Arbor. For any further information, please speak to Mr McKenna, our Assistant Head, and Mrs Wyatt, our House & Extra-curricular Coordinator.

Extracurricular Info Booklet Term 1 (2023/24)Celebrating Successes Extracurricular Activities

SJB Sport

Music

Music plays an important part in the life of the school and all pupils are actively encouraged to take part in the many and varied musical activities on offer. We provide individual tuition on most orchestral instruments (brass, woodwind etc.) as well as guitar, bass guitar, drum kit, piano and voice. Individual music theory lessons are also available. Please complete the Enrolment Form below to request individual music lessons for your son/daughter.

Enrolment form for music lessons

There are many other activities and clubs to participate in. A full list with enrolment details can be found on Arbor.