The curriculum intent within Social and Religious Studies aims to ensure that each student is able to understand key religious, political, economic, and societal concepts, and how these different factors relate to and interact with each other. Students cannot gain this understanding passively through a broad survey of topics and or by receiving knowledge from authoritative sources. Students must build deep understandings and create their own knowledge through investigations into interesting, open-ended questions, debating and discussing contemporary issues, and developing and supporting their own hypotheses, solutions, and conclusions.

Social and Religious Studies at Alder Grange offers students the opportunities to build upon those understandings and knowledge. It draws on topics from all disciplines within social and religious studies, such as sociology, psychology, law and the study of religion, philosophy and ethics. Uniting these disciplines is their focus on human activities, behaviours, and interactions with both other humans and their environments.

While Social and Religious Studies draws on topics from many different disciplines, the proposed curriculum places greater emphasis on developing disciplinary thinking skills through six major thinking concepts: significance, evidence, continuity and change, cause and consequence, perspective, and ethical judgment.

Students can apply these concepts in today’s world of easy access to information about virtually any topic from sources around the globe. This access to information of uncertain quality and accuracy makes it more important than ever to teach students the skills needed to gather, assess, analyse, and synthesize information and ideas from multiple sources. Once students have gathered and analysed information, they will use it to solve problems, make decisions, and communicate their ideas effectively.

Through the Social and Religious Studies curriculum, students will have opportunities to explore and better understand their own identity, perspectives, and values as well as develop the competencies that encourage active, informed citizenship. They will develop the ability to think critically, consider different perspectives and ideas with an open mind, and disagree respectfully with those who have different opinions or points of view. They will be empowered to stay informed about public policy and take action on issues important to them.

Pupils of Alder Grange will learn a broad range of skills and information through PSHE which is designed to guide them into making informed, responsible choices whilst attending school and after they move on from us. While we follow the statutory-guidance for PSHE, we also listen to the needs of our young people through students voice and will find additional time (through Drop Down Days for example) to reflect the specific needs of the school. By the end of a pupil’s time at Alder Grange, all of these ideas will culminate in our hope to have produced a young person who is ready for the world, one who understands the idea that they have both rights and responsibilities.

Our curriculum intent aims to ensure that all pupils at Alder Grange are able to:

access an inclusive broad range of subjects – all pupils successfully complete their programmes of study in PSHE and Advice and Guidance with a focus on Health and Wellbeing, Living in the Wider World and Relationships.

discover and develop their knowledge and passions – there is a wide and rich range of curricular experiences that enhance and extend pupils’ interests and talents. There is a positive climate for learning, allowing pupils to be motivated, engaged and participate willingly and to respond positively to what are sometimes difficult concepts and ideas.

be prepared for the future – PSHE lessons are pupil focussed, intent on the positive wellbeing of our young people – producing a well-rounded individual who can succeed in their future and future career aspirations

be good citizens – In PSHE we aim for our pupils to leave as well-rounded individuals, ready to go out into the world.

The curriculum is intended to promote and value equally, the following cross-curricular themes:

• Culture & the Arts
• STEM & Digital technology
• Language Mastery
• Numeracy
• Reasoning
• Wellbeing – both physical, mental and social
• Spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness & Citizenship
• Mastery
• Critical thinking
• Independent learning skills
• Extra curricular projects
• Inclusion

For further information or to discuss any subject within the department, at any key stage, get in touch via email: dbrind@aldergrange.lancs.sch.uk

Health and Social care

Both the Extended Certificate and the Diploma offer an excellent foundation for a pathway into a range of health and social care careers such as: Teaching, Nursing, Midwifery, Allied health professional roles, Housing support, Social work, Probation services roles and Childcare.

Law

Students wishing to continue their legal studies after A level can opt for a university degree or work based apprenticeships. Both routes can lead to the qualifications required to become a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal executive. Other popular careers involve the police, teaching, social work, business and accounting.

Psychology

Studying psychology gives you a broad range of skills that span both science and the arts and opens up opportunities with a variety of employers. Specific areas of employment include clinical, educational, forensic and occupational Psychology. Careers in counselling and further education are also available.

Sociology

Sociology will provide you with a greater insight into how people work and why they behave and think in certain ways which will help in many career settings and life overall! There are a number of more specific and direct routes that Sociology can guide you down such as: Teacher, Management, Mental Health Worker, Social Worker and Working within Social Services, Counsellor – of which there are many types, Lawyer, Sociological Researcher, Work in the media e.g. Journalist, Probation Officer, Police Work and Political Work – Just to name a few!