EPC stands for Ethics, Philosophy and Citizenship and forms part of our personal development curriculum.

EPC follows a five-year plan which incorporates strands of statutory requirements for RSE (Relationships and Sex Education), Citizenship, CEIAG (Careers Education, Information and Guidance), FBV (Fundamental British Values) and RE (Religious Education).

In EPC pupils explore 6 themes RE, Safeguarding, Living in the wider world, British Values, Relationships and Health and Wellbeing. Within each theme pupils learn about and discuss a range of topics. The themes are colour coded on the 5-Year Life learning journey so that pupils can understand how the topic fits in with previous and future learning. Topics are sequenced so that they are revisited in more depth as pupils get older. An example of this can be found in the Relationships strand which starts in Year 7 with topics including positive relationships, bullying or banter and what makes a family and ends in Year 11 with pupils learning about abusive relationships, assessing relationships and pregnancy/parenthood.

In Years 7 to 9, pupils receive one timetabled EPC lesson per week. In addition, many elements of the EPC curriculum are taught in other curriculum areas. The Life@DeWarenne logo is used in these lessons to help pupils see how topics are linked throughout the curriculum. This helps them to remember more. An example of this is when Democracy is taught in the history curriculum when pupils learn about the Ancient Greeks.

We understand our local context and help pupils develop resilience to negative influences including gang culture, child criminal exploitation (CCE), child sexual exploitation (CSE), and risk-taking behaviours. Pupils participate in personal development days when challenging issues can be explored in greater depth.

Pupils have participated in personal development days where sessions were delivered on mental health, consent, CSE and crime/gangs. Pupils listened to engaging talks from guest speakers including Paul Hannaford, Emma Bloodworth, from South Yorkshire Police and Shaun Ireland from The Triple S Network. Paul Hannaford shared his amazing story with staff and pupils. As a recovered drug addict, he was well qualified to warn our pupils about the dangers of drug addiction, knife crime, gangs, and guns.

Religious education is not only taught in EPC lessons but also features in assemblies, tutor sessions and personal development days. Pupils learn about the key beliefs, festivals, and religious practises found in Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism. A key question approach, as referenced in the Doncaster locally agreed SACRE is adopted where possible to allow pupils to engage in an enquiry-based learning; appraising varied responses to key questions for example, ‘What does science say about God?’ and ‘What happens when we die?” Pupils explore world religions in more detail through learning about different religious beliefs on key topics for example, “Religion and wealth”, “The role of faith”, and “Sexuality and faith”

Careers is a focus in EPC through the Living in the Wider World theme and pupils discuss and learn about a range of issues relating to further and higher education, apprenticeships and the career options available to them. Careers in EPC compliments the opportunities offered through our Personal Development curriculum. In addition, pupils learn about financial issues relating to the world of work and becoming independent citizens such as budgeting, loans, tax, gambling so that they can understand and be responsible for their own money.

The themes of Safeguarding and Relationships (which compliment our RSE curriculum provision) give due regard to the DfE’s statutory guidance on sex and relationship education as well as focusing in more detail on issues most relevant to pupils in our local context. This includes teaching about LGBT people and themes. Pupils learn about sexual orientation and gender identity, same-sex relationships, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and gender stereotypes. Staff are trained to sensitively deliver lessons on these themes to our pupils.

Specific needs, as they arise are responded to and incorporated into our planning. We are keen to use parental surveys to ensure that contextual issues are quickly addressed.

The Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils has always been at the heart of the education offered in Delta Academies. The academy’s approach to SMSC is embedded in our core values of “Treat people equally and with respect”, “Always be your best,” and “Keep expectations high”.

Examples of how fundamental British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs are actively promoted across the academy include:

· Weekly year group assemblies led by academy leaders or guest speakers

· Pupil Voice activities

· The Student Council and Doncaster Youth Council

· Personal development days and events for example “Democracy Week”, where pupils learnt about democracy, voting, parliament and how laws are passed

· Diversity Day (Year 9)

· Religious Education and EPC topics such as ‘What does it mean to be British?”

· Healthy schools’ initiatives

· Cross curricular initiatives

· After school clubs and enrichment activities

· Charity work

· Sporting events

· Links with the wider community including our yearly Remembrance Day service

· Educational trips and visits and other opportunities for learning outside the classroom