Ethics, Philosophy and Citizenship
For more curricular information contact info@clwacademy.org.uk
Curriculum intent
Ethics, Philosophy and Citizenship (EPC) is a subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives now and in the future. Our intent is to ensure that the pupils at Carlton le Willows Academy learn and develop skills and attributes to stay healthy, safe and prepare them for life and work in modern Britain.
All students are taught Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (HE). The statutory guidance was updated in July 2025 and includes:
RELATIONSHIPS AND SEX EDUCATION (RSE)
- Families.
- Respectful Relationships.
- Online Safety and Awareness.
- Being Safe.
- Intimate and Sexual Relationships, including Sexual Health.
HEALTH EDUCATION (HE)
- Mental Wellbeing.
- Wellbeing Online.
- Physical Health and Fitness.
- Healthy Eating.
- Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and Vaping.
- Health Protection and Prevention.
12. Personal Safety.
13. Basic First Aid.
14. Developing Bodies
EPC is delivered and sequenced using six core themes:

The content delivered at Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) is transferred and developed, so that the topics and material covered at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) is transparent and salient.
At Key Stage 3, students build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values that they acquired and developed during the primary phase. The Key Stage 3 curriculum acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence, and their increasing independence. It teaches the knowledge and skills, which will equip our students for the opportunities and challenges of life, and learn how to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media.
In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4), our pupils deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes and values acquired during the earlier years. The Key Stage 4 curriculum reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others. In addition, teaching builds on the Key Stage 3 programme of study to deepen pupils’ understanding of democracy, government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
At Carlton le Willows we aim for the delivery to be age appropriate and respond to national concerns as well as issues raised by the local community, safeguarding team and pastoral support. This is why, at Carlton le Willows, we deliver the empirically validated Healthy Minds Curriculum.
