Key Stage 3 Learning for Life and Work

Learning for Life and Work (LLW) is one of the core subjects of the Northern Ireland Curriculum; it is statutory for all pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4.  It comprises the following four areas:

  • Education for Employability
  • Local and Global Citizenship
  • Personal Development
  • Home Economics (taught as a discrete subject)

At Dean Maguirc College we endeavour, through the teaching of LLW, to prepare our pupils for life beyond the school gates and provide them with the skills, attributes, knowledge and capabilities necessary for active participation in the 21st century.

Through the delivery of LLW we aim:

  • To develop the young person as an individual
  • To develop the young person as a contributor to society
  • To develop the young person as a contributor to the global environment
  • To develop an understanding of human rights and what they mean to us
  • To promote and encourage social responsibility
  • To challenge stereotypes in Northern Ireland, sectarianism, racism, and other sources of conflict in our society and instil tolerance
  • To empower young people to make informed choices and decisions that will affect their own lives
  • To raise awareness of the importance of active participation in the decision-making process

Education for Employability

The aim of Education for Employability is to ensure that all young people develop the personal qualities, skills, knowledge, understanding and attitudes that will give them a strong foundation for lifelong learning and work. These skills are equally important for all young people regardless whether they want to go straight into the world of work or study a course.  Education for Employability is based on three key themes: Career Management, Work in the Local and Global Economy and Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.  Pupils will study the following:

  • Career Management
  • Developing skills and qualities
  • Engaging in career planning
  • Investigating the skills and training required in a range of jobs
  • Work in the Local and Global Economy
  • The changing global economy
  • The effects of technology on life and work
  • The work environment
  • Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
  • Investigating the characteristics and achievements of an entrepreneur
  • Exploring how businesses are constantly looking for innovative, enterprising and creative ways to attract customers
  • Demonstrating initiative and creativity in organising a task or resolving a problem

Local and Global Citizenship

Local and Global Citizenship equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in public life.  Citizenship encourages them to take an interest in topical and contentious issues and to engage in discussion and debate.  Pupils learn about their rights, responsibilities, duties and freedoms and about laws, justice and democracy.  The following themes are covered in KS3:

  • Human Rights and Social Responsibility
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Equality and Social Justice
  • Democracy and Active Participation

Personal Development

Personal Development can be defined as: ’Encouraging each child to become personally, emotionally, socially and physically effective, to lead healthy, safe and fulfilled lives and to become confident, independent and responsible citizens, making informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives.’

In KS3 the following themes are explored in Personal Development:

  • Self-awareness – pupils are provided with opportunities to consider the importance of self-confidence and self-esteem on physical and emotional/mental health; pupils have an opportunity to explore their sense of self and their personal morals, values and beliefs.  They investigate influences on self and others.
  • Personal health: pupils are provided with opportunities to understand the importance of recognising and managing factors that may influence physical and emotional/mental health; they explore the concept of holistic health and the range of influences that can have both a positive and negative impact on all aspects of their health, including legal and illegal substances, accidents and all aspects of personal safety.
  • Relationships: pupils are provided with opportunities to understand the importance of forming and maintaining relationships on physical and emotional/mental health; they explore the qualities of relationships including friendships, and loving, respectful relationships.  They examine ways to cope with challenging relationships and conflict situations and explore the implications of sexual maturation and early sexual activity.

Useful web links

http://ccea.org.uk/curriculum/key_stage_3/areas_learning/learning_life_and_work

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/11_16/site/