The principal aim of Citizenship education at Addey and Stanhope School is to engage pupils in the local and global world; to consider their role as global citizens and to think critically but proactively about a politicised environment. The curriculum encourages students to play an active part in public and democratic life as informed and active citizens. The subject focuses on the importance of active citizenship so students can engage with topics close to their hearts while they develop skills in research and investigation, problem solving, advocacy and campaigning. The subject aims to reflect current issues, questions and debates; and therefore, students develop knowledge and understanding of the role of citizenship in relation to the political and democratic issues and discourse that impacts on modern society.
Students will understand how their lives are impacted on a local, national and international level, at KS3 students will be given opportunities to explore how the content they cover in the classroom links to their local area. It is the intention of the curriculum that students will get the chance to explore how national and international decisions impact upon the students on a day to day basis.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of citizenship concepts, terms and issues
Apply knowledge and understanding of citizenship concepts
Understanding and taking democratic action
In Citizenship, we also implement our curriculum through a range of teaching approaches including role play, games and creative tasks as well as more traditional questions and essay writing. Discussion and debate are a regular feature of lessons, as well as regular assessment for learning to ensure key content is secure.
To ensure that my intent is being implemented in classrooms I do book looks, drop in sessions into classrooms and student surveys. My biggest tool in ensuring that everyone who delivers the subject buys into my vision is via joint planning. All staff delivering the subject are encouraged to offer opinions on the resources provided for them and to challenge if they think anything needs adapting.
Citizenship, as with other curriculum subjects, has a distinct body of knowledge, understanding and skills. The subject is built around core concepts and processes which help pupils to make progress.
KS3 Citizenship teaching addresses a wide range of topical issues. This creates a confident learner who can take part in an open classroom climate and knows what to do to take part in discussions and debates within sensitive and controversial topics.
The aims and objectives of Citizenship Studies are to enable students to:
•Know and understand what democracy is, how parliamentary democracy operates within the constituent parts of the UK, how government works and how democratic and nondemocratic 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 students formulate citizenship enquiries, explore and research citizenship issues and actions, analyse and evaluate information and interpret sources of evidence.
During KS3 students will pick up the following skills:
•Enquiry and research
•Critical thinking
•Deliberation, debate and oracy
•Advocacy and representation
•Active citizenship
Overview of KS4
Citizenship GCSE is about how people take an active part in democratic politics and work together for a better society, locally, nationally and globally. Students will learn about power, democracy, the operation of government and the legal system, and the role of the UK in the wider world. They will explore and learn about different controversial and topical issues with political, social, ethical, economic and environmental dimensions in local to global contexts. They will experience taking citizenship action and learn from trying to make a difference themselves.