Citizenship

“No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline.” Kofi Annan

Our Curriculum Intent

The citizenship curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in order to play a full and active role in society as engaged and responsible citizens. Students study politics, parliament and the British voting system as well as human rights, justice, the law and the economy. Students will learn the skills of active citizenship and will be provided with opportunities to discuss and debate current issues at a local, national and international level.

Our Big Ideas

The major themes that run through citizenship:

• know and understand what democracy is, how parliamentary democracy operates within the constituent parts of the UK, how government works and how democratic and non-democratic systems of government are different beyond the UK

• know and understand the relationship between the state and citizens, the rights, responsibilities and duties of citizens living and working in the UK and how people participate in democracy

• know and understand the role of the law in society, how laws are shaped and enforced and how the justice system works in England and Wales

• know and understand how taxes are raised and spent by governments, and how national economic and financial policies and decisions relate to individuals

• use and apply knowledge and understanding of key citizenship ideas and concepts, including democracy, government, justice, equality, rights, responsibilities, participation, community, identity and diversity, to think deeply and critically about a wide range of political, social, economic and ethical issues and questions facing society in local to global contexts

• use and apply knowledge and understanding as they formulate citizenship enquiries, explore and research citizenship issues and actions, analyse and evaluate information and interpret sources of evidence to discuss and debate the issues.

Key Stage 3

Citizenship is a GCSE subject and is taught as a discrete subject in year 10 and year 11.

Throughout KS3 there are citizenship topics and ideas delivered through history, geography and PSHE.

Key Stage 4

The study of GCSE Citizenship is appropriate for students who are interested in studying Politics, Law and Sociology at college or university. Citizenship is an option subject that students can select to study in KS4. Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding and appreciation of key citizenship issues, historically and in the present day. Students will expand upon prior knowledge and skills in areas including: human rights and responsibilities; law and criminal justice; elections and referendums; political parties and the political process and the role of the media and active citizenship.

Students will also consider the impact of these issues within their own lives at home, in school and in the wider community.

	Half term 1	Half term 2	Half term 3	Half term 4	Half term 5	Half term 6
Year 10	Theme A – Living together in the UK		Theme B – Democracy at work in the UK		Theme C* How the law works
Year 11	Theme D – Power and Influence		Theme E* recap – Taking Citizenship action		Revision

Useful Information

Citizenship Learning Journey

Stretch and Challenge Opportunities

The curriculum offers significant challenge through asking students to examine their own political views and their understanding of human rights
The curriculum is designed to stretch students through extension tasks that encourage them to reflect upon the political issues of the day

Extra -curricular opportunities