Learning for Life

The curriculum recognises that the majority of our pupils and students come from in and around Birmingham and that this shapes their experiences, and the opportunities and challenges they may face, but also acknowledges every young person as a national and global citizen, using this to help foster aspirations, agency and a sense of personal and global responsibility. By focusing pupils and students to consider the kind of person they want to be, and the sort of world they want to construct and live in, as opposed to narrow instruction on the acceptable way to behave, our L4L programme has wider applications for the children beyond classrooms.

The L4L curriculum is designed to encourage debate, curiosity, and to be delivered with a focus on oracy. PowerPoints provide a knowledge rich content which staff can then use to guide pupils and students through discussion around how this is relevant to their lives and help them explore what the right choice at the right time for the right reason might be. Each year the curriculum builds on knowledge from the previous year so it is age relevant and developmentally appropriate.

The L4L curriculum is delivered as a discrete subject in two sessions in KS3 and one session in KS4 and KS5. The programme is supplemented with opportunities for learning in form time, in assemblies, through college competitions and through wider enrichment. Whilst a clear framework exists to ensure PSHE, RSE, SMSC, safeguarding, Fundamental British Values and CEIAG statutory and non-statutory requirements are covered, there is also flexibility within the planning to allow a responsiveness to explore emerging needs in our community when issues need to be covered out of sync. A more detailed policy regarding RSE and CEIAG can be found on the School website.

There are no L4L assessments. Impact is appraised and recognised in the way which pupils and students manage their relationships in School, the way in which they make safe and wise choices and the way in which they develop into flourishing young adults.

Sixth Form CEIAG Programme

From the start of Year 12, Sixth Formers are introduced to a range of different post-18 options including Universities and Degree Level Apprenticeships. This is delivered through our L4L programme and also through an online platform called Unifrog. By using this, Sixth Formers have access to information on a wide range of different careers and pathways.

Most of our students aspire to go on to University. Students wishing to pursue competitive courses can choose to join our Oxbridge or Medicine Pathways to support their ambitions.

Through our links with the University of Birmingham, students experience what a world-class University is like through regular visits and guest speakers. During Year 12, students benefit from access to information from the University on topics such as their ‘Pathways to Birmingham’ schemes, as well as other widening participation programmes at other Universities. Students in Year 12 also get an opportunity to take part in an enterprise activity run by the University of Birmingham Law School and are able to meet with Alumni, including Roden Scholars.

During the summer term, Year 12 students work on their UCAS and Apprenticeship applications by developing their personal statements and researching their options using their initial predicted grades given by teachers. Parents and carers are also invited into the Sixth Form to hear more about how the UCAS process works.

Students enter Year 13 and continue a programme dedicated to the application process for University and Apprenticeships. This includes finalising applications, preparation for interview and assessment centres, and applying for student finance.

Year 13 students are guided throughout the year so they are in a position to make the best choice on A level results day.

Throughout their time in Sixth Form all of our students have access to a qualified careers advisor.