Year 9 Citizenship, Philosophy and Ethics

Unit Content

Unit 1

Why do some people still experience discrimination, and what can we do? 

Students examine different types of discrimination, such as racism, sexism and ableism. They consider how experiencing discrimination can affect people. They learn about the law regarding discrimination, and explore ways to prevent discrimination from occurring. 

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as 'Equality Act', 'prejudice' and 'Islamophobia' 
  • Knowing what the UK law says about discrimination 
  • Understanding that everyone is unique and equal 

Key skills developed:

  • How to act responsibly if one is aware of prejudice or discrimination  
  • How to report concerns to a trusted adult 
  • How to evaluate critically the impact of one's actions on others 

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms. 

Unit 2

How can we stay safe and healthy?
(Part 1)

In this unit, students reflect on the importance of sleep, dangers of gambling and grooming, and the signs of mental ill health.  

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as 'addiction', 'grooming' and 'depression' 
  • Knowing confidently which adults are responsible for safeguarding at Icknield
  • Knowing common types of mental ill health, including anxiety and depression 
  • Understanding the risks related to online gambling including the accumulation of debt 
  • Understanding the concepts of, and laws relating to, grooming and, coercion 

Key skills developed:

  • How to take practical steps to make positive choices in one's own life 
  • How to talk about emotions, accurately and sensitively, using appropriate vocabulary 
  • How to recognise the early signs of mental wellbeing concerns 
  • How to evaluate critically whether an action has a positive or negative effect on one's own or others’ mental health 
  • How to report concerns to a trusted adult 

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms.  

Unit 3

What does it mean to be religious in Britain today?

In this unit, students investigate the lived realities of religion for people in 21st century Britain. They explore what it means to be Muslim and, for instance, to observe Ramadan and go on Hajj, to be Jewish and keep the Shabbat, and to be Buddhist and meditate. 

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as 'dietary law', 'meditate' and 'pilgrimage' 
  • Knowing key features of religious life for Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist people 
  • Understanding the effects of following religious teachings on people's lives in the modern world 
  • Understanding the dialogue and the tensions that exist between religions  

Key skills developed:

  • How to evaluate religious practices, such as meditation and pilgrimage 
  • How to ask others about religious practices in a respectful way
  • How to demonstrate awareness of, and tolerance towards, different faiths 

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms.

Unit 4

How can we make informed choices about relationships?

In this unit, students develop their understanding of the features of positive, safe and healthy relationships, based on love and respect. This is to encourage the development of such relationships in later life. The unit develops understanding and attitudes which will help students to form relationships in a responsible and healthy manner, and to appreciate the responsibilities inherent in long-term relationships. The unit additionally address topics such as LGBTQ+ relationships, the types of contraception available, the impact of pornography, and UK law, for instance relating to sexual harassment and revenge porn.  

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as 'consent', 'contraception' and 'pornography' 
  • Knowing confidently which adults are responsible for safeguarding at Icknield 
  • Understanding the characteristics of positive, respectful and healthy relationships 
  • Knowing a range of contraception types 
  • Understanding that all aspects of health can be affected by choices made in sex and relationships, positively or negatively, including physical and emotional health and wellbeing 

Key skills developed:

  • How to take practical steps to support or improve relationships with others 
  • How to evaluate critically the impact of one's actions on others 
  • How to identify harmful behaviours online and in the physical world 
  • How to report concerns to a trusted adult 
  • How to get further advice, including how and where to access confidential sexual and reproductive health advice and treatment 

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms. 

Unit 5

Where do you stand on ethical debates? 

In this unit, students consider a range of contemporary ethical debates, for instance exploring the ethics of animal experiments, vegetarianism, poverty and artificial intelligence. They learn about the ideas of philosophers including Thomas Aquinas, Rene Descartes and Peter Singer. 

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as 'ethical', 'artificial intelligence' and 'speciesism' 
  • Understanding the questions posed by a range of ethical debates
  • Knowing ideas of a range of philosophers, including Aquinas and Descartes

Key skills developed:

  • How to evaluate ethical dilemmas
  • How to reflect respectfully on others' ideas 
  • How to explain one's own ideas 

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms. 

Unit 6

How can we stay safe and healthy? (Part 2)

In this unit, students develop their understanding of safe and healthy choices. They reflect on the signs of mental ill health, and strategies for developing self-esteem and a positive body image. They also reflect on what can be done to reduce violent crime, such as knife attacks, and develop their understanding of first aid, including how to treat cuts and burns. 

Key knowledge developed:

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as 'self-esteem', 'mental health' and 'peer pressure' 
  • Knowing confidently which adults are responsible for safeguarding at Icknield 
  • Understanding strategies that can be used to support and improve  mental well-being, such as physical exercise, time outdoors and community participation

Key skills developed:

  • How to take practical steps to make positive choices in one's own life 
  • How to talk about emotions, accurately and sensitively, using appropriate vocabulary 
  • How to recognise the early signs of mental wellbeing concerns 
  • How to evaluate critically whether an action has a positive or negative effect on one's own or others’ mental health 
  • How to report concerns to a trusted adult 
  • How to treat common injuries 

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms. 

Unit 7

What should we know about family relationships?

This unit explores respectful relationships within families. Students reflect on the characteristics of committed, stable relationships, and learn about different types of long-term relationship, such as marriage and civil partnership. They consider the responsibilities inherent in such relationships, and in parenting a child. Students additionally learn about types of abuse, including honour-based violence and FGM, and what they should do if they are concerned.

Key knowledge developed: 

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as ‘cohabitation’, ‘civil partnership’ and ‘nuclear family’
  • Knowing the legal status of a range of long-term relationships
  • Understanding the characteristics of, and challenges inherent within, successful parenting

Key skills developed: 

  • How to reflect respectfully on others' ideas 
  • How to explain one's own ideas 
  • How to report concerns to a trusted adult

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms. 

Unit 8

Does religion have a role in the modern world?

This unit explores the questions posed by a range of influential thinkers and philosophical schools, including nihilism, epicureanism and stoicism, and reflects on the roles of religion and philosophy in the modern world. Students formulate their own responses to ultimate questions, such as how a moral code should be created and whether there is evidence for life after death. 

Key knowledge developed: 

  • Knowing key vocabulary, such as 'Marxism', 'epicureanism' and 'existentialism' 
  • Knowing key facts about a range of thinkers, including Freud, Sartre, Marx and Epicurus 
  • Understanding the questions posed by a range of philosophical and religious debates 

Key skills developed: 

  • How to reflect respectfully on others' ideas 
  • How to explain their own ideas 

Assessment: Learning is assessed formatively through use of in-class activities, class discussions and through quizzes administered using Microsoft Forms.