I AM
Performance Department Staff
Curriculum Leader: Mrs N Burton
I AM Teachers
Miss J Atherton, Mr G Barton, Mr E Baxter, Mr A Belshire, Mrs A Christodoulidou, Mr C Eaton, Miss L Firth, Mr J Hill, Mr B Howman, Mr K Lemon, Mr M Mahoney, Mrs L Maidment, Mrs S Phillipson, Mrs S Tzabach, Miss L Whitworth, Mr P Wong, Miss L Wood
Curriculum Maps
Key Stage 3 Grading System
GCSE Options
I AM is taught across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. This is a non-exam subject but follows the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Department for Education Curriculum.
Exam Information & Revision Resources
Not applicable
Intent
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11)
The PSHE curriculum at St Thomas More Catholic High School is collectively known as "I AM".
The programme name was carefully chosen to more accurately reflect the programme we offer and the Gospel values we want our school community to aspire to. "I Am" comes from the I Am sayings of Jesus - Jesus was using language to explain who he was - that he was the Son of God. 'I Am the Good Shepherd', 'I Am the Bread of Life', 'I Am the Light of the World'. In the same way the PSHE curriculum helps our pupils to understand themselves, and the world around them. It is about their formation and growth and their journey to being moral citizens in our world. I Am becomes a positive statement of who they want to become.
All year groups from Year 7 to Year 11 are provided with one hour a fortnight of I AM lessons. Lessons are supplemented through our Building the Kingdom, assemblies and collective acts of worship. Also through whole school initiatives.
The specific content of the I AM programme is constantly under review, as it should be given the constantly changing environment our pupils live in. It is not enough to simply teach pupils about the issues covered in the suggested subject content. It is vital they have the opportunity to explore their attitudes, values and beliefs about them and to develop the skills, language and strategies necessary to manage these issues should they encounter them in their lives. As a consequence, lessons encompass dedicated time for pupils to share, discuss and challenge, where necessary, their viewpoints.
Catholic Social Teaching with Performance
There are seven common themes of I AM delivered across the year groups; these are inspired by the school's dedication to Catholic Social Teaching:
Common Good: Also linked with Dignity of the Human Person, this links to ideas with physical and mental wellbeing.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: This includes topics on bullying, relationships and any links with charities.
Dignity of the Human Person: This includes education our pupils on equality, issues with prejudice and other global and community issues.
Dignity of Work and Education: This is the careers link in the curriculum covered in all year groups looking at things from soft skills to CV writing.
Solidarity: This includes lessons on global citizenship and British values.
Care for God's Creation: This includes lessons linked to the environment and looking after the earth.
Family and Community: This includes our Relationships and Sex Education programme.
Pupil Affirmation
"I like I AM - it is called this because we are learning about ourselves"
"I really like I AM - it is different to other subjects"
"The topics are really interesting"