Citizenship Course Details:

Years 7, 8 and 9

Pupils will cover elements of citizenship in their weekly P.S.H.E. lessons. Citizenship covers knowledge, understanding and skills about many different aspects of our lives such as:

• Understanding how your own and others’ attitudes can undermine or enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities.
• Being actively involved in contributing to the wider community, both nationally and internationally, and through that, acquiring skills to enable you to participate in society at all levels.
• Gaining knowledge about political ideas, people, processes and institutions, and learning how you can make a difference.

Citizenship is about linking all these three elements together.

Assessment - There is a requirement for teachers to assess pupils’ attainment in citizenship at the end of key stage 3. There is an end of key stage description in the national curriculum for citizenship. This provides the basis for judging pupils’ achievement and is broadly comparable with level 5/6 in other subjects.

Year 10

Pupils will opt to do Citizenship GCSE, which is now a full course. The aims of this qualification are to encourage candidates to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study and gain the confidence and conviction to participate in decision making and play an active role as effective citizens in public life

GCSE specifications in Citizenship Studies must enable candidates to:

• Engage with topical Citizenship issues and contribute to debates on challenges facing society, involving a wide range of political, social and ethical ideas, issues and problems in different contexts (local to global).
• Develop and apply understanding of key Citizenship concepts (justice, democracy, rights and responsibilities, identities and diversity) to deepen their understanding of society and how communities change over time.
• Use an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts, opinions and bias, build arguments and make informed judgements.
• Develop the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to take action with others to address Citizenship issues in their communities.

Year 11

All Year 11 pupils will be entered for the short course G.C.S.E. if they are able to produce the two pieces of required coursework.

Aims:

• To develop and apply knowledge and understanding about becoming informed citizens through, and alongside, the development of the skills of enquiry, communication, participation and responsible action.
• To explore local, national and international issues, problems and events of current interest.
• To critically evaluate participation within school and/or community activities.

Components:

• Written paper exam - 1hr 30mins (60%)
• Coursework A - Evaluation of participation and responsible action in school and/or community (20%)
• Coursework B - A critical commentary, of no more than 800 words, on two contrasting sources of information of your choice (20%)

The Content divided into three parts:

• Theme 1: Citizenship - Rights and Responsibilities
• Theme 2: Citizenship - Citizenship and Government
• Theme 3: Citizenship and Participation