King's Compass (PSHE)

King’s Compass, formally known as PSHE, in the Senior Division and Sixth Form is a comprehensive development programme that seeks to build a selection of key virtues and habits supporting our schools aims:

• challenge our pupils to aspire, work hard and achieve;
• develop lively and enquiring minds;
• foster a friendly, polite and caring community,
• support parents in raising ambitious and well-rounded individuals

We have selected a range of virtues to concentrate on throughout pupils' time at King’s. We want our pupils to see a clear connection between them and hope that they leave school with a strong moral code and good ‘practical wisdom’ that will guide them throughout their lives. In that, we will truly achieve our aims.

Within the King’s Compass programme in the Seniors and Sixth Form, we focus on the traditional areas within PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) alongside character education. This includes a focus on physical, mental, spiritual and economic wellbeing. It aims to enable our pupils to acquire and develop the thinking and interpersonal skills they need to make sense of, and then manage, the world around them.

At King’s, a good Compass education helps pupils to become effective learners and supports them as they become independent young people and active contributors to British society. King’s is also committed to developing pupils’ responsibilities towards themselves, others in school, and the local and global community.

Subject Content & Syllabus

Students study a variety of topics across the virtues to build their knowledge and skills as they progress through the school.

Key Stage 3

In Year 7, Compass lessons are twice a week, one indoor and 1 outdoor lesson. Students explore areas such as the transition from primary school to senior school, healthy relationships, puberty, and e-safety in their indoor lessons. Students explore teamwork, creativity, outdoor appreciation and environmental awareness in their outdoor lessons. They also complete a King's Compass project on Kindness, combining work they have completed in their indoor and outdoor lessons.

In Year 8, the Compass programme is delivered through fortnightly lessons. In many of the lessons, students are encouraged to use role play to explore key issues in their lives such as bullying and peer pressure. Students will also cover topics such as loss and change, the menstrual cycle and how to disagree respectfully.

In Year 9, Compass is delivered through fortnightly lessons and specific Compass Days where a mixture of visiting speakers and teachers present to the pupils on topics such as e-safety, drug awareness, sex and relationships and diversity. They complete an Aspire Project and an Enterprise Project, promoting leadership, independence and creativity.

Key Stage 4

In Years 10 and 11, Compass is delivered by a team of specialist teachers. Students continue to develop their learning from Key Stage 3 and revisit topics such as sex and relationships, personal finance and preparation for Sixth Form life.

Our long-term plan for KS3-4 is linked below. Specific lesson resources are available to parents upon request.

Long Term Plan for KS3-4

Key Stage 5

The Compass programme in the Sixth Form is delivered during dedicated Compass periods once a fortnight and often involves outside speakers and practical ‘Life Skills’. Students explore issues surrounding physical and mental wellbeing, as well as topical issues and preparation for life beyond the Sixth Form.

Our long-term plan for KS5 is linked below. Specific lesson resources are available to parents upon request.

Long Term Plan for KS5