Opening Minds & RSE

Curriculum Intent

The Opening Minds curriculum at Paxman Academy equips students to become knowledgeable and informed citizens who can be successful in an ever-changing world. Through Opening Minds our students are encouraged to live healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives. 

Learners are encouraged to shine by being supported in making effective decisions, positive learning, career choices and in achieving economic well-being. Students are supported to develop a traffic light awareness towards risky situations and behaviours and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make good and safe choices in these situations. 

Students are provided with opportunities to reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes and explore the complex and conflicting range of attitudes that exist in the world. Students develop interpersonal and intrapersonal skills allowing them to develop teamwork and communication skills required to become successful members of society. 

The British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect of those with different faiths and beliefs are taught explicitly and reinforced in the way in which the school operates. We acknowledge the contribution they make towards rounded personal development and the creation of healthy and positive attitudes. 

Critical, popular and controversial current affairs feature within the curriculum and highlight the adaptive nature of the programme. Contextual school issues are incorporated into the curriculum as appropriate in order to provide a timely, effective and efficient way of combating concerns and providing appropriate education. 

Relationships and Sex Education is also delivered through the Opening Minds course. Aspects of RSE have been carefully sequenced to be delivered at age-appropriate times and once a strong relationship exists with the staff delivering the content. 

Opening Minds serves as a conduit through which key safeguarding content and education are communicated. This ranges from radicalisation and FGM to grooming, sexual abuse and sexting. The course provides the education and guidance to support our students to make well-informed choices about their safety and the safety of those around them.  

Through the above intent and relentless inclusion of our ASPIRE school values, we are building brighter futures for our students.