Latest News
Vital life topics tackled
Posted: 10th February 2020Keeping safe, happy and healthy in life was the focus of a collapsed timetable day.
Forest Hall School regularly throws out the traditional school structure to enable students to indulge in vital life topics.
Year 9 and 10 stepped away from the usual lessons to take part in workshops focusing on sex, relationships, online safety, child sexual exploitation and healthy relationships.
In Year 9, students took part in sessions understanding gender and sexuality, considering gender stereotypes and equality for members of the LGBT community; an overview of STIs and contraception options; and a session on consent and various laws including sexting.
Year 10 took part in a Keeping Children Safe Day, working with Impressionable Minds and The Safeguarding Alliance on interactive sessions looking at gangs, carrying weapons and the impact of drugs.
Lewis Davis, humanities instructor, said: “These days provide students with opportunities they would not get through their conventional lessons. We know through the feedback we have from students that they enjoy learning these crucial life lessons through collapsed timetable days.
“The key aim of the day was to ensure students have the knowledge and skills to be happy, healthy and safe in their adult lives when they leave us after Year 11.
“At Forest Hall, we really value developing the whole individual by focusing on their personal development and these days solidify our school ethos into everyday experiences.
“Everyone found the workshops and sessions engaging, powerful, useful and memorable.”
Head of school Hannah Jones said: “It is crucial that we spend time educating our students on these important issues. With the increase of County Lines across Essex, we want to work with organisations to raise awareness. Safeguarding is paramount at Forest Hall and giving students crucial information will help to protect them.”