Year 9 began the year looking at the importance of consent and how to have positive healthy relationships. This unit teaches students how to recognise when something in a relationship is unhealthy or abusive. The unit will also introduce how to have safe sex and the different types of contraception available. They then went on to study their second topic of the Spring term looking at the UK’s political system, and explored how voting and elections work. The year 9s learnt more about our Parliament, with a focus on what it does in making laws and representing people, before finally looking at the government itself and the many different roles there are in government.
Next term year 9s students will look at different views held about what happens after death. The topics covered will include reincarnation, near death experience and looking at religious views held by Christians, Muslims, Hindus, as well as the Egyptian beliefs. The students will compare Christian and Muslim responses to medical ethical dilemmas: abortion, IVF, human cloning, blood transfusions, and organ donation. Our year 9s will also use scriptures to identify key concepts and interpret beliefs regarding medical ethical issues.
“SME prepares you for life outside of high school and how to stay safe and knowledgeable about things that could happen to you in later life. It is a very good lesson and the teachers are really good and help make the subject easy to understand even when it can be uncomfortable. It is one of my favourite subjects.” Annabel in year 9
“SME is a fun subject but it is also important. It teaches us about the way of the world we live in and how to be safe in a variety of situations.” Samuel in year 9
“SME is a great subject! It develops student’s understanding about the life around us. It also gives students an opportunity to say their opinions on what they believe, and on top of all that Miss Conolly is the best SME teacher and I thank her for the best SME lessons!” Aliyah in year 9
“I like SME because it prepares students for the real world. It gives us a better understanding about life outside of school and all the teachers are so kind and are always there for you.” Daisy in year 9
