Character and Culture

“Intelligence plus character. That is the goal of true education.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

Pupils are taught Character and Culture because it helps them develop the knowledge and skills they need to live successfully in the wider world. The subject encourages students to understand themselves, their values, and how they relate to others.

Character and Culture, affectionately known as CC in Acle Academy, is made up of two subjects: PSHE and Religious Studies. In our school, it is an important part of the curriculum as it helps prepare you for life in the wider world and has links to many other topics in school.

In the PSHE units, we learn about real-life skills that many adults wish they had been taught at school, such as money and finances, careers and future pathways, mortgages and bills, how politics works, and how to look after our physical and mental health.

In the Religious Studies units, we explore the six major world religions, as well as some big philosophical questions like “Is there a God?” and “Is there life after death?”. Together, these two subjects help you understand yourself, other people, and the world around you.

Our lessons are age-appropriate and carefully planned to follow both government guidance and the PSHE Association recommendations. For our Religious Studies teaching, we also draw inspiration from the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, ensuring that what we teach is balanced, respectful, and meaningful. This means pupils learn in a way that is suitable for their stage of development, meets national standards, and reflects the values of our local community.

From September 2026, we are also excited to introduce a new Philosophy and Ethics course at Acle Academy. This course will give pupils the opportunity to explore some of life’s biggest questions and debates, encouraging them to think critically, discuss different viewpoints respectfully, and develop confidence in expressing their own ideas. Pupils will explore topics such as morality, justice, human rights, religion, science, and the meaning of life, helping them build valuable skills in reasoning, discussion, and evaluation. Philosophy and Ethics links closely with both the Religious Studies and PSHE elements of Character and Culture, supporting pupils to become thoughtful, open-minded, and reflective young people who are prepared for the wider world.