Life skills and PfA at Mowbray School are embedded within the curriculum with the aim of giving our young people the tools required to lead happy confident and independent lives. Teaching and learning is individualised to each Pathway, in order to meet the range of each individual students needs with a focus on identified EHCP targets.

Mowbray School aims to give all pupils an insight into the Forest School ethos. This approach to outdoor learning encourages pupils to become independent, use their imagination, take appropriate positive risks within boundaries, initiate learning for themselves and achieve success in every session. Forest School is a holistic approach to learning, incorporating pupil’s individuality and develops their skills for lifelong learning. It can cover all six areas of learning, including the emotional and spiritual aspects of learning where self -esteem and self -confidence can grow and positive relationships with peers can be formed. Forest School explores the outdoors and the natural environment with practical, useful activities all year round irrespective of weather conditions (unless deemed to be dangerous). It develops peer learning with the adults providing support and enabling activities to take place. Pupils interest will be at the heart of every activity. Social and emotional development is key to our students who are all on the autistic spectrum.

Spiritual development

Through the curriculum, pupils develop:

· An ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values

· A sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them

· A use of imagination and creativity in learning

· Willingness to reflect on their experiences

Moral development

Through the curriculum, pupils develop:

· An ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and readily apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England

· An understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions

· An interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues

Social development

Through the curriculum, pupils develop:

· A use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds

· A willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively

· An acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

Cultural development

Through the curriculum, pupils develop:

· An understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and those of others

· An understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain

· A knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain

· A willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities

· An interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socioeconomic groups in the local, national and global communities

PSHCE education is compulsory, and valued for its contribution to an education that goes beyond academic attainment, and to prepares pupils for life’s opportunities and challenges. The philosophy of Mowbray School is to put the needs of its pupils first and believe it is the right of our pupils to be

treated with dignity and respect. Our teaching approach is student-cantered and, although access to the National Curriculum is in place, we believe its principal focus should be on the specific needs.

The PSHCE curriculum is divided up into 6 main topics, one delivered each half term. These include:

Autumn 1 – Self-Awareness

Autumn 2 – The World I Live In

Spring 1 – Support and Safety

Spring 2 – Relationships

Summer 1 – Me and My Future

Summer 2 – Healthy Lifestyles