STEPS
Sociology, Theology, Ethics, Politics and Social Studies (STEPS). Preparing students to be healthy and happy, whilst also being informed and active citizens.
STEPS is a compulsory subject from years 7-11, which aims to prepare students to live as a happy, healthy and informed citizen of the UK and the wider world. Through exploring the strands of Sociology, Theology, Ethics, Politics and Social Studies, the curriculum teaches students how to keep themselves safe and promotes the British Values of tolerance, rule of law, democracy, mutual respect and individual liberty. STEPS complements the LLL programme and ensures that our students cover the statutory Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education content (2026) in sufficient depth, with greater opportunities for reading, extended writing and discussion. The STEPS curriculum also meets the requirements of the SACRE for Solihull and its religious and ethical elements aim to promote the spiritual, moral and cultural development of our students.
Year 7 Curriculum
- Transition – British Values, the Right Way, responding to bullying
- Are all religions the same? – Christianity and Islam: religious rules, Trinity vs Tawhid, stories of Creation, life and teachings of Jesus, importance of the Prophet Muhammad
- Being Safe and Healthy – looking after our bodies, puberty, antibiotics and vaccines, healthy relationships, online safety, road safety
- Who Am I? – British identity, beliefs and values, emotions and feelings, body image, diversity and tolerance.
Year 8 Curriculum
- Is all life equal? – Equality Act 2010, Human Rights, responding to prejudice and discrimination (racism, misogyny, homophobia, religious prejudice)
- Government and Politics – democracy vs dictatorship, government and parliament, political parties, votes at 16
- Evil and suffering – nature vs nurture, atheist response, religious responses (Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh)
Year 9 Curriculum
- Looking After Yourself – healthy relationships, consent, harmful sexual behaviour, grooming and exploitation, gang culture and coercion, online subcultures, pregnancy facts and choices
- Life After Death – Dualism, secular and atheist responses to dualism, religious responses (Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh)
- Does religion make you a good person? – rules that Christians and Muslims live by, atheist responses to morality, situation ethics, utilitarianism, Buddhist view of morality, Sikhism and morality
- Religion in Society Today – Christian stewardship, being a Muslim teenager today, the Buddha and the value of his teachings, Sikh teachings on equality and service, being non-religious in modern Britain, expressing the spiritual through arts
Year 10 Curriculum
- Relationships and the Law – healthy vs unhealthy families, radicalisation, sexual violence, harassment and revenge porn, arranged vs forced marriage, “honour”-based abuse
- Religion and Relationships – views on sexuality, views on marriage and divorce, views on abortion, views on homosexuality, views on euthanasia
- Money Management – cost of living, budgeting, bank accounts, financial and mental harms of gambling, borrowing money, buying vs renting, buy now/pay later
Year 11 Curriculum
- Next STEPS – managing exam stress, post-16 pathways, personal statements, importance of CVs, interview skills, university, world of work
- Human Rights and Social Justice (religious and non-religious approaches) – human rights, religious freedom, social justice, prejudice and discrimination, the role of women, wealth, exploitation of the poor, racial harmony
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of the religious education curriculum provided by the school. Parents who are considering doing so should make an appointment to discuss this with the Principal.
Please note that the RSE taught in STEPS does not include the elements of RSE that parents have the right to withdraw their child from (such elements are covered instead in LLL).
Religious Education within the Sixth Form meets the local SACRE guidance and is covered during the pastoral programme, details of which can be found here: www.kingshurst.tgacademy.org.uk/sixth-form/student-support/pastoral-programme/