Personal Development

This is a core part of our curriculum, providing students with a mentoring opportunity alongside building the core Uckfield qualities and beliefs that enable our students to thrive in society when they leave us. 

Reading, mentoring and oracy are at the heart of PDT programme alongside an assembly programme which covers key aspects of fundamental British Values and our school’s work on belonging. Reading takes place every week for one session with all students in a year group reading the same text. Mentors and students are expected to read aloud to the class so that students hear fluent speaking. Oracy sessions happen twice in a fortnight with bespoke sessions planned to increase students’ global awareness and citizenship. Sessions cover current affairs and are planned to allow students time to debate issues with their peers. 
 

Mentoring

This also takes place in PDT, once every two weeks. Mentors will sit down one to one or with students and review their progress and set meaningful targets based on the Uckfield ACEs. Students record these on their online learning organiser to allow them to review the progress they have made. Alongside this, students record their proud pieces, ambitions, careers work and reading log so that at the end of Year 11 they can look back with pride at their achievements at Uckfield College. 
 

Life Learning

The Life Learning Curriculum encompasses both PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) as well as Citizenship. We teach the national curriculum and beyond to ensure our students have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed in life.

The Life Learning department aims to inspire and engage students beyond the curriculum to be reflective on personal issues concerning identity, emotional, physical and mental well being as well as broader issues concerning the wider community. We are committed to supporting students through ensuring that they are taught beyond what is required of the statutory guidance so that each student is well equipped to be active, confident and inclusive members of society.

The Life Learning department challenges students to question the world around them and develop sophisticated skills to help them navigate school life and life beyond school. We also aim to enable learners to develop resilience and self confidence and to face the challenges and responsibilities they have now in school, outside of school and in their adult life so that students are well equipped to achieve personal excellence.
 

Oracy Framework

Developing speaking, listening, discussing and presenting abilities are vital for our students' personal development and wellbeing. Our Oracy Framework has been designed to show students exactly the skills they need to master in order to become confident speakers, listeners, and presenters - skills we aim to equip them with for the rest of their lives.

Fundamental British Values

Uckfield College is committed to developing well-rounded students. We aim for everyone in our community to lead truly, deeply, happy, fulfilled and purpose-driven lives. We focus not only on developing Academic Achievers,  but also Citizens of our World with Good Character as well as being Entrepreneurial and Confident. Uckfield College is dedicated to developing students with a strong sense of social and moral responsibility through promoting values such as individual liberty, democracy, the law, mutual respect and tolerance.  This is achieved through a relentless focus on the quality of teaching and learning and professional development.  A wide-ranging, ambitious and tailored Personal Development Curriculum is also prioritised, so that every student leaves the College ready, willing and able to make a positive contribution to society and with aspirational plans in place for future education and employment.

The Personal Development Curriculum encapsulates our responsibilities in providing a curriculum that:

• Teaches students about politics- including the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries;

• Ensure that all pupils within the school have a voice that is listened to, and demonstrate how democracy works by actively promoting democratic processes such as a school council whose members are voted for by the pupils;

• uses teaching resources from a wide variety of sources to help pupils understand, respect and have tolerance of the diversity of faiths and cultures around the world and in Britain

• Has an extensive programme of assemblies and tutor time (Personal Development Time) which offers clear guidance on what is right and wrong as well as providing students with another opportunity to learn PSHE.

• Has a rigorous behaviour for learning policy which teaches students to recognise the difference between rights and wrong, understand actions and consequences  and apply this in their own lives by respecting the law. 

At Uckfield College we are dedicated to promoting values which ensure that students develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility. We prepare students for life in modern Britain because values such as individual liberty, democracy, the law, mutual respect and tolerance are embedded within the curriculum and the Uckfield ethos. In addition these values are promoted throughout the school year.

As school leaders and governors, we are responsible for providing a curriculum which:

• Is broad and balanced, compliant with legislation and provides a wide range of subjects which prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain.

• Actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

• Promotes tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or none), cultures and lifestyles through effective spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students, including by engaging students in extracurricular activities.

• Is supported by a well-rounded programme of assemblies and tutor time activities which offer clear guidance on what is right and wrong.

We endeavour that students:

• Are reflective about their own beliefs and perspective on life, and the extent to which they are the same as/different to others’ faith, feelings and values.

• Show an interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and appreciate the viewpoint of others.

• Have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about the world around them and participate actively in artistic, sporting or cultural activities.

• Recognise the difference between right and wrong, understand that actions have consequences, and apply this in their own lives by respecting the law.

• Co-operate well, celebrate diversity and resolve conflicts effectively.

• Engage positively with life in a democracy.

• Understand and appreciate the history, heritage and wide ranging cultural influences that underpin our individual and shared experiences of life in modern Britain.

We believe that we allow students to recognise right from wrong, resolve conflicts, understand and explore diversity, develop a moral code, understand others’ beliefs and understand how communities function. These qualities will allow them to participate fully in life in modern Britain.
 

KS3 - 4 Religious Education

The RE department aims to inspire Uckfield learners by engaging them with thought- provoking and meaningful content so they look forward to going to their lessons and are motivated to connect with the curriculum and beyond it. We intend to support and build steps for all students to access the learning and feel welcome and wanted in the classroom but creating an environment that develops an attitude beyond tolerance to  empathy and respect.

The RE department teaches with high expectations, ensuring all students are working to the best of their ability. Our department endeavours to challenge students to think deeply and outside of their intellectual comfort zone and encourages them to appreciate cognitive diversity. Students may come across ideas that might make them feel uncomfortable and might challenge what they might have been taught outside of the school, but they will explore that in a safe environment so they can develop their own thoughts on a variety of issues.

We endeavour to develop student character of resilience, fortitude and effort and develop key Religious Studies knowledge of content and academic skills as well social skills such as compassion, empathy and nuance.