Learning for Life & Work
What Is Learning for Life and Work?
Learning for Life and Work is a modular subject comprised of three strands: Local and Global Citizenship, Personal Development and Employability. It aims to help students develop as individuals, members of society, and contributors to the economy by gaining the knowledge and capabilities required to effectively manage personal, social, political and economic issues.
At Key Stage 3, all three strands are studied on a 12-week carousel basis. There is a significant emphasis on active learning, group work and discussion. In Year 10, students visit the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont to learn about democratic participation. Each module is assessed through the completion of a piece of coursework and a class test.
At Key Stage 4, students follow the CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work specification. The GCSE is delivered as follows:
- In Year 11, students study the Citizenship and Employability modules, sitting an external examination paper in each module.
- In Year 12, students study the Personal Development module, completing a Controlled Assessment and sitting the module external examination paper.
- Overall, the Controlled Assessment is worth 40% of the final grade and the examined components 60%.
What Topics Do I Study in Learning for Life and Work?
In Local and Global Citizenship, students investigate cultural diversity and the challenges and opportunities this brings to society. They examine the role of human rights, democratic institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in contributing to an inclusive society. The importance of democratic participation and the role of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in shaping Northern Ireland’s government are also considered.
In Employability, students prepare themselves for future employment through career planning as well as through exploring the processes and skills involved in finding a job. They analyse and evaluate the responsibilities of employees and employers, and investigate how globalisation impacts on employment. There is also a focus on entrepreneurship and how to create a convincing business plan.
In Personal Development, students consider issues surrounding physical, emotional and social well-being, including the impact of diet, exercise, smoking and drugs on personal health. They also explore relationships and sexuality, and evaluate how best to effectively manage risks. Parenting and personal finance are also reviewed, in order to equip students with life management tools.
What Skills Can I Learn?
Studying Learning for Life and Work provides students with an arsenal of skills with which to make informed life and employment choices. A key focus is the ability to manage information and think independently in order to respond to political, social and economic opportunities and challenges. Learning for Life and Work forms a good basis for studying a wide variety of post-16 subjects including Applied Health and Social Care, Politics, Sociology and Business Studies.
For further information, please contact Dr. Johnson, Teacher in Charge of Learning for Life and Work.
What Is Learning for Life and Work?
Learning for Life and Work is a modular subject comprised of three strands: Local and Global Citizenship, Personal Development and Employability. It aims to help students develop as individuals, members of society, and contributors to the economy by gaining the knowledge and capabilities required to effectively manage personal, social, political and economic issues.
At Key Stage 3, all three strands are studied on a 12-week carousel basis. There is a significant emphasis on active learning, group work and discussion. In Year 10, students visit the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont to learn about democratic participation. Each module is assessed through the completion of a piece of coursework and a class test.
At Key Stage 4, students follow the CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work specification. The GCSE is delivered as follows:
- In Year 11, students study the Citizenship and Employability modules, sitting an external examination paper in each module.
- In Year 12, students study the Personal Development module, completing a Controlled Assessment and sitting the module external examination paper.
- Overall, the Controlled Assessment is worth 40% of the final grade and the examined components 60%.
What Topics Do I Study in Learning for Life and Work?
In Local and Global Citizenship, students investigate cultural diversity and the challenges and opportunities this brings to society. They examine the role of human rights, democratic institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in contributing to an inclusive society. The importance of democratic participation and the role of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in shaping Northern Ireland’s government are also considered.
In Employability, students prepare themselves for future employment through career planning as well as through exploring the processes and skills involved in finding a job. They analyse and evaluate the responsibilities of employees and employers, and investigate how globalisation impacts on employment. There is also a focus on entrepreneurship and how to create a convincing business plan.
In Personal Development, students consider issues surrounding physical, emotional and social well-being, including the impact of diet, exercise, smoking and drugs on personal health. They also explore relationships and sexuality, and evaluate how best to effectively manage risks. Parenting and personal finance are also reviewed, in order to equip students with life management tools.
What Skills Can I Learn?
Studying Learning for Life and Work provides students with an arsenal of skills with which to make informed life and employment choices. A key focus is the ability to manage information and think independently in order to respond to political, social and economic opportunities and challenges. Learning for Life and Work forms a good basis for studying a wide variety of post-16 subjects including Applied Health and Social Care, Politics, Sociology and Business Studies.
For further information, please contact Dr. Johnson, Teacher in Charge of Learning for Life and Work.