Citizenship

Intent

The Citizenship course available to Key Stage 4 will allow pupils to engage in topics involving current affairs to give pupils the means to be active Citizens. Many of our pupils struggle to access the academic skills to achieve GCSEs in some subjects but the methods of studying the Citizenship GCSE allows the learning to be much more accessible to all pupils. The course includes an independent study where pupils will have their own input on what they learn and become active citizens. We adapt this course to be taught in one year due to the short term placements of our pupils. If pupils have engaged well and completed the course by the end of year 10 they will have the opportunity to sit the exams that summer series.

We aim to:

• encourage independent learning through the Taking Citizenship Action module;
• give pupils the opportunity to study current affairs to allow them to become active citizens;
• study local, regional and national citizenship issues with the opportunity to take action to resolve them.

Content

The GCSE Citizenship course is split into 5 themes

1. Living together in the UK
2. Democracy at work in the UK
3. Law and justice
4. Power and influence
5. Taking citizenship action.

The 5 themes are designed to give pupils a well-rounded idea of how to act like a good citizen in the UK, including rights and steps that you can take to become an active citizen in the country in which they currently reside.

Pupils study for 2 exam papers with their Own Citizenship Action

 Implementation

The course will be separated into the 5 themes that the exam covers. Each one will cover the in depth questions needed to take the exam. Where possible, active learning will take place through questioning and debating with current active local citizens.

Pupils will be fully supported throughout the choosing of topics for their independent study and the undertaking of it. Whilst pupils will be encouraged to carry out their own citizenship action as independently as possible, support will be put in place for those who struggle to organise their thoughts, especially those who start the course later.

Different learning styles are supported throughout the lessons in order to support pupils’ engagement and focus: for example, using worksheets, text books, PowerPoints, discussion and poster work. As well as having many methods of research available to them.

Assessment

Assessment of work is in accordance with the 9-1 grading scheme. Pupils will answer questions designed by the exam board throughout their learning in order to prepare for their GCSE examinations.

As the content of the course is large and the independent study means all pupils will be working at their own pace on their own topics, mock examinations in Citizenship are unlikely. However, there will be opportunities during lessons and revision sessions to complete practice papers.

Impact

Pupils choosing to undertake the Citizenship Studies GCSEs will complete a baseline assessment including their ideas on what happens nationally in politics and law. They will then develop their skills and knowledge throughout the programme of study.

Intake at different points of the year has an impact on potential outcomes as there is a significant volume of subject knowledge to be acquired, requiring a high level of commitment from the pupils. This is something that we have to consider when making exam entries and is discussed with individuals who may choose to focus on intervention for other areas. There will be a focus on completion of the own citizenship action for those joining the academy late as this is the main focus of 50% of the qualification.

Career Links

Cross-Curricular Li