Citizenship

StudyingSubject Introduction

Lead teacher of Citizenship: Robyn Brogan
Other teaching staff:

Citizenship education is a core National Curriculum subject and has been since September 2002. Citizenship education develops knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils need to play a full part in society as active and responsible citizens. Students learn about politics, parliament and voting as well as human rights, justice, the law and the economy. They also learn the skills of active citizenship. .

OUR APPROACH
Despite its numerous benefits to young people, unfortunately, the teaching of Citizenship around the country is patchy at best. However, Christ’s is unique in Richmond Borough because:

  • we teach Citizenship as a discreet subject 
  • we offer a GCSE option in Citizenship
  • Citizenship is taught by two subject specialist teachers: Mr Jenner & Ms Paudyal

Citizenship lessons at Christ’s are brought to life by using real issues and events in local, national and global contexts. We give students the time and space to explore controversial issues where often there is not an objectively right or wrong answer.
Ultimately this process allows students to think for themselves, to judge available evidence, respectfully debate and develop considered and reasoned opinions.

A common thing we hear when we tell parents about citizenship is “I wish I learned that at school!” – we genuinely believe that Citizenship is more than a subject as its application to the ‘real world’ is so strong.

Results over the past 5 years have consistently been among the best in the school in terms of attainment and progress made by students. Results are consistently, and significantly, above national average for the subject. In 2019, for example, 40% of our students got in the grade 7-9 bracket and 91% got in the grade 4-9 bracket. We are continuously trying to find ways to improve on these results and we support students in reaching their potential

The Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Citizenship is timetabled as a discrete subject for one period per week in Years 7 to 9. In Key Stage 3 the units of learning involve a wide range of interlinking elements including:

  • knowledge and understanding: about topics such as laws and rules, democratic processes, human rights, diversity, money and the economy, conflict, Britain’s part in the global community; and about concepts, such as democracy, justice, equality, freedom, and the rule of law.
  • skills and capabilities: eg critical thinking, analysing information, expressing opinions, discussions and debates, negotiating, and participating in community action.
  • values: eg respect for justice, democracy and the rule of law, openness, tolerance, courage to defend a point of view, and a willingness to listen to and work with others.

TOPICS COVERED

  • How democracy works in the UK
  • Who’s running the country
  • Voting
  • Human Rights
  • British culture, diversity and identity
  • How to be an active citizen project
  • Activism
  • International institutions and Britain’s role in the world
  • Conflict resolution
  • Financial matters

To find out more about homework requirements, please visit the Homework section of this website.

 

Key Stage 4 - GCSE

GCSE Citizenship is a popular and successful option with two classes running in Years 10 and 11. Following the Edexcel exam board we study 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

TOPICS COVERED

Parliament, Law-making, UK Constitution, role of Government, importance of voting, voting systems, Justice system, criminal and civil law, power of the media, identity, culture and immigration, human rights, consumer rights, political rights in the UK and abroad, employment rights, pressure groups, the UK’s role in the world, the role of international organisations, UN/EU/Commonwealth/NATO/WTO, free and fair trade, peace-keeping and making, planning and taking action to address an issue.

To find out more about homework requirements, please visit the Homework section of this website.

Key Stage 5 / Sixth Form

The closest subject pathway for Citizenship are Politics A Level and Sociology A Level. Staff members can help students decide which A-level suits their interests better.

ENRICHMENT

Citizenship offers many opportunities for further enrichment, including:

  • morning breakfast sessions when there is a significant local/national event
  • student council elections
  • whole-school parallel elections in alignment with UK general elections
  • visits from local representatives
  • opportunities for active citizenship across KS3 and KS4
  • a trip to the Houses of Parliament in Year 10

Our Year 11 trip is currently under review.

CAREERS

Citizenship aids the study of Politics A-Level, and builds on subject knowledge that will assist the study of Sociology, Geography, Philosophy and Ethics and History in our Sixth Form. Citizenship students tend to go on to an array of career options including: social work, journalism, police/armed forces, social research, etc.

EXAM BOARD

 KS4

Exam Board: Edexcel

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/citizenship-studies-2016.html

Course Code: 1CSO

Specification:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Citizenship%20Studies/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/Specification_GCSE_L1-L2_in_Citizenship.pdf

Past papers:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/citizenship-studies-2016.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments

TEXTBOOKS AND REVISION RESOURCES

Textbooks
Citizenship Today (Jenny Wales, Collins Publisher)

Revisions resources
There are no published revision guides for Citizenship. These will be provided by the Citizenship teachers.

All students are encouraged to keep up to date with the local and national news through television news programmes like Newsround and the Six O’clock news in Key Stage 3, or the Channel 4 News and later BBC and ITV bulletins in Key Stage 4.

Reading quality national newspaper (eg The Times, Telegraph, Independent, Guardian) is recommended. The Library has a daily copy of The Times and Guardian and the Week Junior, and for GCSE students there are politics periodicals like the Spectator and New Statesman. We also recommend keeping up to date with local news via The Richmond & Twickenham Times website and various local social media feeds.

Being aware of topical local, national and international news and issues improves general knowledge and can only boost pupils’ ability to discuss issues in depth, ask critical questions, and examine different viewpoints on current local, national and international events.

All the above have content online, and pupils are encouraged to research different websites to gain a range of viewpoints and ideas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround

http://theday.co.uk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

http://www.theguardian.com/uk

http://www.independent.co.uk

http://www.channel4.com/news/

http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk

https://uk.idebate.org/

 

 

https://classroom.thenational.academy/subjects-by-key-stage/key-stage-3/subjects/citizenship

https://classroom.thenational.academy/subjects-by-key-stage/key-stage-4/subjects/citizenship

 

Back to top

  • 05:05 PM - 28th September, 2023 We're for an and Welfare Officer at Christ's School. Term Time only - Admin RolePlease visit the website for more information and how to apply. Application forms should be emailed to hr.school by 9am on 16/10/2023 Read more pic.twitter.com/gvr3lucb3l
  • 05:02 PM - 26th September, 2023 Well done to the U15’s netball team winning their round 1 national sister in sport match today Vs Radnor House School! 23-11 pic.twitter.com/lKbGvZxtRH
  • 04:54 PM - 26th September, 2023 Well done to the Y10/11 netball team beating SRR in the Borough League 17-5 pic.twitter.com/jpJHl7vabj
  • 04:20 PM - 26th September, 2023 We're looking forward to welcoming our current parents and carers to our Parent Information Evening on Thursday. Please visit our website for more information Read more pic.twitter.com/2GZrEoRvo6
  • 07:03 AM - 25th September, 2023 A warm welcome (back) from the PSA! Our event information can be found on the school website Read more but special mention of our Year 7 Parents' and Carers' social in the White Horse pub, Richmond on Tues, 26th Sept, from 7.30pm. RSVP to christsschoolpta.com pic.twitter.com/xT5elYMyg5
  • 10:15 AM - 21st September, 2023 We're recruiting for a Learning Support Assistant. Visit the school website for more information and the application form. Send completed forms to hr.school. Closing date: 9am, Monday, 2 October 2023 Read more pic.twitter.com/0zTNzX0cOJ
  • 10:11 AM - 21st September, 2023 6th Form Win! Christ’s Sixth Form Football Team beat Grey Court 4-1 in tonight’s league fixture!MoM Gabriel I-S pic.twitter.com/7VRfFV02bw
  • 04:01 PM - 5th September, 2023 If you have not received your invitation link for the new MCAS app, please email info.school pic.twitter.com/unwOzekN2l
  • 01:34 PM - 4th September, 2023 We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Christ's School: Year 7 start at 8:30am on Tuesday 5th SeptemberYear 12 start at 10am on Tuesday 5th SeptemberYear 8-11 and Year 13 should return for an 8:30am start on Wednesday 6th September pic.twitter.com/uH8MInAgue
  • 01:02 PM - 24th August, 2023 Christ's School students celebrate GCSE success. Click to find out more: Read more pic.twitter.com/fAYFyGxKCj
  • 01:19 PM - 17th August, 2023 Christ's Students Celebrate Fantastic A Level Results. Click to read more: Read more pic.twitter.com/5OHYXdl3Gf
  • 10:31 AM - 9th August, 2023 A reminder for new year 7 students joining us in September; your homework is to send Mrs Dixon a postcard from whatever you have been doing this summer. We're looking forward to reading about all the interesting places you have been and things you have been doing. pic.twitter.com/9ONrWqGoAa