What is citizenship? What does it mean for me?
Citizenship offers all schools the opportunity to celebrate their communities. It enriches the curriculum and empowers pupils as active citizens. — Sarah Davies, Citizenship co-ordinator, St Michael's RC School, Billingham
Citizenship education is about helping young people understand the rights and responsibilities they have as members of society. It recognises and builds on the excellent work that already goes on in many primary, special and secondary schools, and makes it an entitlement for all pupils. It is an opportunity to develop the sort of activities that inspired many teachers to join the teaching profession.
In September 2002, citizenship education became a statutory part of the national curriculum in secondary schools, building on the important work developed through the PSHE and Citizenship Framework in primary schools. Citizenship aims to ensure that students:
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know their rights and responsibilities
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analyse and discuss significant issues
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understand how society works
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play an active role in society.
Citizenship is a statutory subject at Key Stages 3 and 4 (secondary). It is part of a non-statutory framework at Key Stages 1 and 2 (primary). There are also plans underway for post-16.
Where and how will citizenship education
happen?
Everywhere. It's up to schools to plan the delivery of
citizenship. It can happen:
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through a whole-school approach in curriculum time
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via dedicated citizenship lessons
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through existing subjects, e.g. PSHE, history, geography, RE and science
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through the National Healthy School Standard Initiative
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through the Key Stage 3 Strategy
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in extra-curricular activities and special events.
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in the community
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at home
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through volunteering
Funding
The DCSF is continuing to allocate money directly to schools for
Citizenship via the School Standards Fund. It is entirely up to the schools to
decide how to spend the money. Suggestions include in-service training and
resources. Ask your citizenship coordinator for details or check the DCSF
guidance.
Assessment
As of summer 2004, schools have to assess students' attainment in
citizenship at Key Stage 3. Assessment at Key Stage 4 is not statutory. Ofsted
will be inspecting citizenship.
The programmes of study for Key Stages 3 and 4 citizenship include:
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rights and responsibilities
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human rights
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diversity — national, regional, religious, ethnic
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voting and democracy
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parliament and other forms of government
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media/free press
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voluntary groups
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conflict resolution
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consumers, employers and employees' rights
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global citizenship
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the economy
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sustainable development
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the legal system
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how to bring about social change
Active participation in more democratic school communities...is associated with higher attainment and lower exclusion. — Derry Hannam, Phoenix Education Trust
Last updated: 16 July 2007
