Personal Development
The personal development curriculum at West Walsall EACT Academy aims to support students development beyond their Academic studies in order to become valuable citizens and members of our community throughout their adult life.
Students in KS3-5 complete a values-based programme or Personal development through their tutor periods which aims to develop them as confident, resilient and independent young adults. We encourage them to debate and discuss topics in order to consider different viewpoints.
To ensure PSHE is delivered in a safe environment, lessons take place in dedicated periods each week with tutor groups. Pupils study topics that can be sensitive in nature in the comfort of their form room, along with their closest peers and form teacher, to provide them with the space to ask questions and debate challenging topics with confidence and sensitivity.
In line with the statutory guidance for schools, all pupils will receive sessions in Sex and Relationships Education (SRE). As per the guidance, parents have the right to request their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE. Before granting any request, the school will discuss the request with parents and, where appropriate, with the child to ensure that their wishes are understood and to clarify the nature and purpose of the curriculum. In these discussions with parents, the school will outline the detrimental effects that withdrawal might have on the child. Once these conversations have taken place, the school will respect the parents’ request to withdraw the child, up to and until three terms before the child turns 16. After that point, if the child wishes to receive sex education rather than be withdrawn, the school will make arrangements to provide the child with sex education.
Parents will be informed by letter of any sex education classes that will go ahead, and should contact the school if they wish to withdraw.
Some aspects of sex education are taught as part of the science curriculum. Parents may not withdraw their child from these sessions. This content includes:
- The male and female reproductive systems
- The menstrual cycle
- Pregnancy
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Contraception
Parents do not have the right to withdraw their child from any other parts of the PSHE curriculum.