The video below gives an insight into how the Ethical Education curriculum works in practice.
Ethical Education at Hansfield ETSS
Ethical Education is a subject taught from 1st to 6th year at Hansfield ETSS. It aims to encourage and provide a space for students to develop an awareness of different perspectives, reflect on their own views and biases and to think critically, question and take action on equality and justice issues in their communities.
The Ethical Education Curriculum at Junior Cycle.
Junior Cycle Ethical Education is divided into 9 strands. They are:
- Values: Students explore what is of value to them and what has influenced this. The concepts of morality, principles, facts and opinions are also examined.
- Making Moral and Ethical Decisions: Students apply different approaches to ethical decision making and consider different ethical dilemmas using these approaches.
- Beliefs and Worldviews: Students investigate different ideological standpoints and religious beliefs and identify how these might impact on an individual’s worldview.
- Different Teachings and Perspectives: Students study a number of texts, myths and narratives and consider how these may have influenced human behaviour and thought.
- Diversity in Ireland: Students explore diversity in a local and national context and think critically about the experience of minority groups in Irish society, particularly experiences of discrimination.
- Migration: Students develop an enhanced awareness of the language associated with migration; discover how migration has had an impact on Ireland and; critically analyse how the media reports migration in different contexts.
- Power and participation: Students reflect on and assess the power and decision-making processes in their school.
- Gender Equality: Students research, debate and reflect on issues related to gender equality in national and international contexts.
- Global Citizenship Education: Students increase their knowledge of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and take action in relation to at least one of them.
The Ethical Education Curriculum at Senior Cycle
Following on from Junior Cycle Ethical Education, Senior Cycle Ethical Education aims to facilitate learners in developing conscious, considered and informed values, as well as the skills to discuss, refine and utilise these values, enabling their participation as caring and active members of a culturally diverse society.
Senior Cycle Ethical Education is divided into 6 strands. They are:
Strand 1 Introduction: Values, Assumptions and Action
Strand 2 Identity, Inclusion and Diversity.
Strand 3 Pleasure, Purpose and The Meaning of Life
Strand 4 Power and Privilege
Strand 5 Acting on our Values
Strand 6 Justice
How does Hansfield ETSS support Ethical Education?
We implement our Ethical Education Curriculum in several ways.
Firstly - as a discrete subject that is scheduled on a weekly basis.
This emphasis gives high status and visibility and aims to consolidate learning over the 5/6 year period that students are with us.
Secondly - as part of student assembly sessions.
This approach provides an opportunity for different elements of the ethical education to become embedded in school life.
Our assemblies are geared around themes such as Respect, Motivation, Inclusion, Co-operation, Fairness and Equality.
These themes seek to build our school culture and ethos. They also aim to help our young people to develop ethical practice in their daily lives - at home, in school, in their friendship groups and in their local communities.
The theme also runs through the school day and school week.
Thirdly – teachers are encouraged to promote links between the Ethical Education and other subjects and learning projects such as the integrated initiative.
In this way ethical issues and practice permeates school life.
Through the above approaches concepts and principles that define the educational philosophy at Hansfield ETSS are mediated in meaningful ways for our students.
This requires a pedagogical flexibility and creativity by our teachers. Our Ethical Curriculum is still growing, evolving and is always under discussion.
Why do we provide an Ethical Education Programme?
Ethical education provides a platform for our students to explore the infinite variety and richness of mankind. It is one of the key channels through which the values and principles of Hansfield ETSS are articulated, explained and examined in-depth and modelled. Along with other aspects of the curriculum and school life, it supports an intercultural space.
Ethical Education helps our students to develop spiritually and to think critically, empowering them to make a difference to their world and their communities. In simple terms:
- We want to develop within our students/learners a critical knowledge and understanding of what is right and wrong.
- We want to heighten awareness of social, ethical and moral issues and standards.
- We want to nurture among our students a respect for a person’s right to hold and practice religious, other or no beliefs.
You will find more details at the links below.
Click here for The Ethical Education Curriculum (Junior Cycle)
Click here for The Ethical Education Curriculum (Transition Year)
Click here for The Ethical Education Curriculum (Senior Cycle)
Click here for Ethical Education Report 2018/2019
Click here for Ethical Education Report 2016/2017
Click here for Ethical Education Report 2015/2016
Click here for the link to Teacher Resource Bank