Citizenship Education in England
The Curriculum
Citizenship aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in public and democratic life. Citizenship encourages students to take an interest in political and social issues and to engage in discussion and debate. Pupils learn about politics, laws, justice, rights and democracy. They work together and learn to play an active role in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods and communities as active and responsible citizens.
Citizenship is a statutory National Curriculum foundation subject in secondary schools in England. It was introduced in 2002 following the recommendations of Bernard Crick and his advisory group which looked into the Teaching of Citizenship and Democracy in schools. Schools are required to address the National Curriculum programmes of study which set out what must be taught at key stages 3 and 4 for 11-16 year olds. The National Curriculum was revised in 2013 and new programmes of study are now available for first teaching from 2014.
In primary education (age 5-11) there is a joint non-statutory framework for Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship education. This has been in place since 2000.
Citizenship Studies qualifications are available as GCSE and A level to recognise pupil's attainment in the subject. Pupils study of all the key areas of the subject including: politics, democracy, government, law, human rights, equality and diversity. The GCSE qualification requires students to complete an active citizenship project where they investigate, campaign and take action on issues of concern to them in their communities and wider society.
Citizenship aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in public and democratic life. Citizenship encourages students to take an interest in political and social issues and to engage in discussion and debate. Pupils learn about politics, laws, justice, rights and democracy. They work together and learn to play an active role in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods and communities as active and responsible citizens.
Citizenship is a statutory National Curriculum foundation subject in secondary schools in England. It was introduced in 2002 following the recommendations of Bernard Crick and his advisory group which looked into the Teaching of Citizenship and Democracy in schools. Schools are required to address the National Curriculum programmes of study which set out what must be taught at key stages 3 and 4 for 11-16 year olds. The National Curriculum was revised in 2013 and new programmes of study are now available for first teaching from 2014.
In primary education (age 5-11) there is a joint non-statutory framework for Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship education. This has been in place since 2000.
Citizenship Studies qualifications are available as GCSE and A level to recognise pupil's attainment in the subject. Pupils study of all the key areas of the subject including: politics, democracy, government, law, human rights, equality and diversity. The GCSE qualification requires students to complete an active citizenship project where they investigate, campaign and take action on issues of concern to them in their communities and wider society.
Organisations supporting Citizenship Education
- Association for Teaching Citizenship (ACT) is the membership association for teachers and others working on Citizenship education
- Active Citizens FE is a community interest company and the national network for citizenship post 16
- CitizED is the home of the Citizenship Education Teacher Training Community
- Citizenship Foundation is a leading charity working to promote and support Citizenship education
- Democratic Life a voluntary coalition of organisations and individuals seeking to strengthen and extend young people’s entitlement to high-quality citizenship education in England
- Department for Education (DfE) is the ministerial department charged with citizenship education
- Hansard Society has a programme of citizenship education with activities for students and teachers
- National Foundation for Education Research (NFER) has provided some of the latest Citizenship research and published CELS – the largest and longest running study on the impact of citizenship education on young people
- Ofsted is the school inspection agency in England and provides regular reports on the quality of Citizenship education
- Parliament Education Service works to engage students and teachers in education about parliament and offers a range of training and teaching materials
