Overview

Citizenship Studies is taught within the EPD curriculum content at KS3. Students are encouraged to pay attention to local, national and international events and learn a range of topics; from understanding the complexities of a diverse United Kingdom, to how to play an active role as a citizen within our democratic society.

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Year 7

• British value
• Multicultural societ
• Migration trends and patterns

Year 8

• Democracy and governmen
• Methods of participation in a democratic society
Active Citizenship

Year 9

• Rights and responsibilities with a focus on key human rights such as ‘Freedom of Speech’
• The role of media in UK society

Overview

Studying GCSE Citizenship enables learners to understand and appreciate their rights and responsibilities at home, in school and as young citizens in their wider community. Students will learn more about the benefits and challenges of living in a modern, culturally diverse, tolerant and democratic society while, at the same time, developing a growing understanding of people’s interdependence locally and globally. As students develop their knowledge and understanding of the United Kingdom’s role in an increasingly complex world, students will be given the opportunity to analyse and evaluate some of the most significant political issues of our time.

KS4 Intent Statement

Studying GCSE Citizenship, students follow the OCR Citizenship Curriculum, this enables learners to understand and appreciate their rights and responsibilities at home, in school and as young citizens in their wider community. Students explore and understand the benefits and challenges of living in a modern, culturally diverse, tolerant and democratic society while, at the same time, developing a growing understanding of people’s interdependence locally and globally. The complex array of ideas and current issues taught allow students to develop their own knowledge and understanding of the United Kingdom’s role in an increasingly complex world. The units taught at Key Stage 4 give students the opportunity to analyse and evaluate some of the most significant political issues of our time.
Topic 1; Rights, the legal system and the law encourage students to engage and understand the importance of Human Rights and how they are protected within our current political system and the legal system today. This covers a broad period of time and enables students the ability to draw broad comparisons about the protection of human rights over time. Topic 2; Democracy and the Government offers students a focussed and in-depth investigation into the makeup of the political system today, considering how political parties vary in their views and what the work of the Houses of Parliament actually is in relation to our own lives today. Topic 3; The UK and Wider World incorporates all the previous learning from the previous units to encourage students to gain a well-rounded and secure understanding of the context of the UK within International relations and the position it holds within certain organisations like NATO for example. Ultimately, the skills and knowledge learnt across the three units culminate in students becoming active citizens. They are able to understand the position of a citizen within society and encourage awareness and change of different issues through different methods of activism in their own projects within the school environment.
The whole of the Citizenship Studies course both challenges and inspires students to engage in the complexities of society today. Through a range of rigorous assessment points, students will gain the skills of leadership, team-work, research, literacy, advocacy and debate to become an active, knowledgeable and considerate participant in their society. The Citizenship curriculum will also help to inspire students further beyond the taught curriculum with a programme of outside the classroom opportunities, guest speakers and academic engagement. The study of Citizenship is also an excellent avenue for opening many opportunities in further academic study with a range of different subject areas such as History, Geography, Politics, Economics and Sociology being available and building on the previous foundations that have been learnt through the GCSE.

Qualification Details

Exam Board: OCR
Qualification Title: Citizenship
Qualification Specification Code: J270
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the OCR webpage for the specification.

Why should I study this course?

Citizenship Studies links to a range of different subject areas such as History, Geography, Politics, Economics and Sociology. It therefore offers students the chance to broaden their general knowledge and become more aware of significant world events and issues. Citizenship is also the perfect vehicle for developing a variety of skills, ranging from leadership, teamwork, research, literacy, advocacy and debate. Students can develop the skills necessary to be an active, knowledgeable and considerate participant in their society.

What knowledge and/or skills will I need?

Skills and knowledge that you will need, or that you will be required to develop, include: - A genuine interest in keeping up-to-date with local, national and international news. - An in-depth understanding of how the UK works politically, socially and economically. - Critical thinking, analysis, teamwork and leadership skills.

What will I study in this qualification?

There are four sections to the GCSE Citizenship Studies Course:

Section 1: Rights, the law and the legal system in England and Wales.
• Rights and responsibilities
• The law
• The legal system (England and Wales)

Section 2: Democracy and government
• Democracy, elections and voting in the UK
• National, local, regional and devolved government
• British constitutio
• The economy, finance and money
• The role of the media and free press
• Citizenship participation in the U
• Politics beyond the UK

Section 3: The UK and the wider world
• Identities and diversity in UK society
• The UK and its relations with the wider world

Section 4: Citizenship action Students take part in real-life practical activities that address a particular issue or concern, aimed at providing a benefit for a particular community or society as a whole.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment takes place over three papers at the end of the GCSE Course:

Paper 1: Citizenship in perspective
Multiple choice questions
50 minutes
25% of the final GCSE grade

Paper 2: Citizenship in action Written answers
1 hour 45 minutes
50% of the final GCSE grade

Paper 3: Our rights, our society, our world
Written answers
1 hour
25% of the final GCSE grade

Possible Career Paths

Citizenship encourages learners to make positive contributions to their school, college and wider community through links with senior school/college leaders and representatives of: community organisations; political parties; pressure groups; charities; the police; legal services and the media. Citizenship Studies would therefore complement pathways into many different job sectors.