At the Forest Academy, our aim is not only to foster achievement together but also develop responsible, respectful, and active citizens who have experienced equality of opportunity and been educated in an inclusive environment, which is reinforced by our staff and the delivery of our Personal Development Programme. Our PSHE, SMSC, RSE and Careers education enables our pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of becoming young adults.
We provide our pupils with opportunities for them to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. Our pupils are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by developing personal and work-related skills and by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community. The different strands of Personal Development at The Forest Academy are delivered through a range of experiences, ranging from areas of the taught curriculum to extracurricular opportunities, events and trips. The different strands, which are further supported by our routines and displays, share areas of overlap and interplay.
The Personal Development Programme is delivered to all years at Key Stages 3 and 4. It includes six core strands which are covered as follows:
1. SMSC and Character Development:
2. Sex and Relationships Education
3. Safety and Financial Wellbeing Education
4. Health Education
5. Citizenship and Religious Studies
6. Careers and Skills Education
It is a new, up to date and responsive curriculum which is based with TFA at the heart of our community and PD curriculum. We encompass all strands and threads of OFSTED, logically sequenced with constant recall amongst each year group.
Personal Development is being delivered to all Key Stage 3 and 4 tutor groups during 3 form sessions a week. At Key Stage 5 the subject is delivered separately by the 6th Form Team. Our curriculum was designed to ensure full adherence to statutory obligations regarding the teaching of Sex and Relationships, Careers, Citizenship and British Values and improve consistency and clarity of learning outcomes in the subject.
“Leaders use the personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme and careers education as the main pillars for pupils’ personal development.” Ofsted recognise our students are proud to be a part of TFA, with our PD programme being highlighted as a core strength.
The Forest Academy actively promotes all students’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development as well as the fundamental British values. At The Forest Academy we embrace and celebrate our multi-cultural and multi-faith community which reflects the ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We understand the vital role we have in ensuring that every pupil feels safe and is respected no matter what their beliefs and background is. At TFA, the five key British Values outlined below are embedded and promoted in school life and the curriculum: –
• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and belief
