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Life Skills, Citizenship, Sociology and Religious Studies

We are very proud that Patcham High’s Life Skills programme is unique to us. Encompassing statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), Religious Education (RE) and Citizenship, we aim to equip students with the transferable skills they need to help them make decisions which enable them to lead safe and happy lives now, and in the future.

We believe this subject provides all our students with the opportunity to make decisions which help them become safe, respectful, accepting, well-informed, critical and active members of our community and wider society.

However, we also understand that as it is unique to us, as parents you often have questions about our subject area which may not have for other departments in the school. Please use the FAQ below to answer some of those questions.

Life-Skills-Curriculum-Overview.pdf

Who studies Life Skills?

  • Life Skills is a compulsory subject for all year groups.

How often do pupils study Life Skills?

  • Year 7 and 8 – Three lessons a fortnight
  • Year 9 – On rotation. Two rotations of four lessons a fortnight for seven weeks
  • Year 10 and 11 – Two lessons a fortnight

Who is the subject leader?

Hannah Kinchin-Frost (Wednesday-Friday): hkinchin-frost@patchamhigh.org.uk

Shana Runglall (Monday-Tuesday): ShRunglall@patchamhigh.org.uk

What if I want to withdraw my child from RE?

  • Parents are legally allowed to withdraw their child from RE for religious reasons however we believe that learning about different faiths, cultures and viewpoints is fundamental to creating a cohesive and accepting community here at PHS and our society as a whole.
  • Any requests to withdraw from RE must be made in writing to the Headteacher.

What if I want to withdraw my child from other topics?

  • We follow the guidance found on page 6 of the DfE’s 2025 statutory guidance on Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (As this guidance comes in to effect on 1st September 2026, we will be updating our policy and carrying out parental consultation throughout the academic year of 2025-2026)
  • Life Skills deals with sensitive issues and we understand that there may be some issues which parents feel might be too upsetting for their child due to particular personal circumstances such as bereavement.
  • In line with the new RSHE guidance, parents are also legally able to withdraw their child from Sex Education but not Relationships Education. 
  • The curriculum map is available on the school website so parents/carers can see what their child will be learning about
  • Any requests to withdraw from Sex Education must be made in writing to the Headteacher
  • A child can make their own decision about attending Sex Education lessons three terms before they turn 16

What will they learn in Life Skills?

  • Please see the curriculum maps available on the website

Are they assessed in Life Skills?

  • Progress is monitored and tracked but not through tests. Instead, we assess progress through projects, attitude to learning, homework completion, extended writing and contribution to class discussion
  • Pupil progress will be communicated to parents via reports and parent’s evenings

Is there a policy for Relationship and Sex Education?

Will these subjects promote LGBT relationships?

  • We follow the guidance found on page 36 of the DfE’s 2025 statutory guidance on Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education
  • “Pupils should understand the importance of equality and respect throughout their education. They should learn about all protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender reassignment, by the end of their secondary education.”
  • “In teaching this, schools should be mindful that beyond the facts and the law about biological sex and gender reassignment there is significant debate, and they should be careful not to endorse any particular view or teach it as fact. For example, they should not teach as fact that all people have a gender identity. Schools should avoid language and activities which repeat or enforce gender stereotypes. Schools should be mindful to avoid any suggestion that social transition is a simple solution to feelings of distress or discomfort.”
  • We deliver LGBT+ identity lessons in year 7 specifically as well also including LGBT+ relationships in year 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Will teachers receive training before delivering these subjects?

  • Yes. We are lucky to have a dedicated Life Skills team of experienced teachers who take the subject seriously. 
  • We keep up to date with training on issues which have an impact on the lives of our young people so that we can all safeguard them appropriately
  • All staff know and understand our safeguarding procedures

PHS-Relationship-Sex-Education-Policy-2025-26.pdf

Citizenship GCSE Information

Citizenship-Curriculum-Overview.pdf

Why our students love Citizenship…

"I like Citizenship because I like learning about knife crime, capital punishment, and law"

"I like Citizenship because it teaches you about fairness, religion, the court of law, and politics so it expands your general knowledge"

Sociology GCSE Information

Sociology-Curriculum-Overview.pdf

Why our students love Sociology…

"I like Sociology because it teaches us how society operates"

"I like Sociology because I learn about why people do things"

"What I like about Sociology is that I can look deeper into society and I enjoy sharing my opinion in class"

Religious Studies Information

Religious-Studies-Curriculum-Overview.pdf

Why our students love Religious Studies…

"I like Religious Studies because I like learning about the key beliefs about Christianity and Islam"

"I like Religious Studies because I like to debate and see how other people might see the world"

"What I like about GCSE RS is debating and talking about ethical subjects such as euthanasia or abortion"

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