Personal Development Department

At Plumstead Manor School we study Personal Development, which includes Citizenship and PSHEE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education), from Years 7 to 11. Careers education is also taught in Personal Development lesson time.

All pupils also study for the short-course GCSE in Citizenship in Years 9 and 10 (exam taken in Year 10). The exam board we use for this subject is Edexcel.

In 2007 63% of our 200 entrants gained A* - C in GCSE Citizenship and 97% received an A* - G.

In Year 12 (at NEGUS sixth form centre) students can choose to take AS-level Social Science: Citizenship, with an extended project (exam board: AQA).  

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship is a relatively new subject in the National Curriculum and is compulsory at Key Stages 3 and 4. In Citizenship we learn about the world around us and how we can change it for the better. The subject aims to improve your political knowledge and encourages you to get involved in your local and global communities.

Citizenship Club

Come along on Wednesdays from 3-4pm in K13 and get involved in Citizenship Club, where we are trying to change the world! Check out www.g-nation.co.uk and click on “my school” and then “Plumstead Manor School” for details of all our projects!

What is PSHEE?

PSHEE stands for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education. It is a subject where you learn about the different issues you might face in your personal life, and hopefully you will gain the knowledge you need to make the right decisions for you. At Plumstead Manor PSHEE includes Sex and Relationship Education, Drugs Education and Economic Wellbeing.

Careers education & guidance

Careers Education and Guidance is an important part of the curriculum. Careers lessons are introduced as part of the curriculum for all girls from Year 9. All Year 11 students are given a copy of the Careers Dept. "Career Seekers' Guide".

On Track Clubs

Groups of 25 students selected by Curriculum Co-ordinator/tutors to meet in 1 lunchtime per week to :-

Year 9/10

• give an opportunity for confidence building
• raise achievement
• support students
• encourage students to have higher aspirations
• IT course
• attend workshops
• learn to debate
• solve problems
• learn to play chess and other board games

Investors in Careers

Plumstead Manor has been awarded this national standard. Plumstead Manor is keen to continue developing a quality Careers Education and Guidance programme for its students. IiC is a nationally recognised quality standard, which ensures that all young people receive appropriate support and guidance.

RoQA Recognition of Quality Award for Pre 16 Work Experience.

The Greenwich Connexions Centre

• Involvement in Years 9-11 Careers programme as part of the Year 9/10 Initiative and Partnership agreement.
• Interviews and clinics for Years 11-13.
• Workshops prior to work experience and involvement in Plumstead Manor based work experience.

Greenwich Education Business Partnership

• Central Placement Service for Work Experience
• mentoring schemes

Work Experience

Year 10 complete 2 weeks after the Spring half-term. Students go to placements in Central Hotel, Canary Wharf, the City, Bluewater and locally. All students participate in a detailed briefing and de-briefing programme. Students record a range of Key Skills whilst in the work place.

Many successful outcomes

• students invited back to participate in events at local primary schools
• offers of Saturday/holiday jobs
• some even offered full time employment/training on completion of successful GCSE/6th form courses

The Work Experience programme includes a focus on the key skills:-

• Communication
• Information Technology
• Application of number
• Working with others
• Improving own learning and performance
• Problem solving
• Practical skills
• specific skills
• making a decorative wooden coffee table, which included a marquetry and veneered finish
• design work for logos and personal information cards.
• catering, photographic, administrative, finance, IT and many others.

Negus Sixth Form Centre

CEG forms a continuum of careers work from 13-19. Students are encouraged to pursue their own lines of enquiry with adequate supervision.

• visits to higher education fairs
• overnight stay at University of Sussex
• Compact with University of Greenwich
• careers interviews, talks and clinics
• mock university and job interviews
• software and Internet use for higher education research
• help with CVs
• copy of the Negus "Career Seekers' Guide"

Careers Room Resources

• computers for accessing many of the specialist programs and Internet.
• library which comprises all the necessary reference and reading books and is regularly updated
• video
• interview room
• opportunity to write own Curriculum Vitae

The Peter Hamilton Memorial Award 1992

The Careers Department was awarded this national award for the promotion of good practice in Careers Education and Guidance by the NACGT.