Citizenship

Overview

As well as cross curricular Citizenship which is integrated and studied across the curriculum in KS3 and KS4, Citizenship is also offered as a GCSE option at KS4.
GCSE Citizenship is a subject that looks at real life issues as they happen. Students are required to keep up to date with current affairs, both in the UK and worldwide. Citizenship teaches students to develop and express their own opinions in a measured, intelligent and clear manner. The course encourages debate, questioning and analysis. It also requires students to choose campaign topics that they explore and feel strongly about. These campaigns are not ‘paper’ campaigns, but real, live issues where students do something concrete to influence and bring about change

Entry Requirements

In order to successfully study Citizenship at GCSE, you need to take an interest in current affairs and be prepared to watch/listen to/read the news on a regular basis.

Course Outline and Assessment

Citizenship has 2 exams, which are taken at the end of Year 11 and are jointly worth 40% of the GCSE. The work for these exams consists of three study units:

  • Human rights
  • Power, politics and the media
  • The global village

The exams will test your knowledge and understanding of law, human rights, politics, the media and current world affairs. These exams contain a mixture of short, medium and long answer questions and will require you to think about issues from different points of view. Questions are based on real examples of things that are going on in the UK and further afield.

The remaining 60% of the GCSE is made up of 2 controlled assessments. The controlled assessments involve choosing, exploring, planning and running two campaigns of your choice. These might be for something local or may be focused on a much bigger, global issue. You will be assessed on the write up and analysis of what you have achieved in your campaigns.

Examining Board

Career and Progression Opportunities

Students go on to do a huge variety of things. Citizenship shows the ability to think in real terms and put ideas into action. It is, for example, relevant for any student who is considering a career or further studies in law, politics, sociology, events management or philosophy.

Teaching Methods

Citizenship lesson content varies on a daily basis and lessons are therefore often discussion based. Students are taught to explore and develop their own views through analysing news coverage and debating issues with their teacher and classmates.
For the controlled assessment campaigns, students are guided and encouraged to develop independent study habits in order to put their own ideas into action.
Lessons are also taught with reference to textbooks endorsed by Edexcel for this course, newspaper articles, film and documentary excerpts and other resources.
Finally, we  study legal documents and treaties such as the UDHR and CRC and consider the impact that they have on individuals and the international community. 

Course Activities and Trips

Depending on the campaign issues chosen by the students, a variety of outside speakers are invited to talk to the students. In the past, our visiting speakers have included a senior prison officer and an employee of the Crown Prosecution Service.  In addition, students have the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament and, amongst other things, question their MP.

Cost Implications

The Parliament trip costs approximately £20 and is the only cost implication of this course.

Enrichment Activities

Any activities that engage you in current affairs will benefit your Citizenship knowledge. For example the regular reading of good quality newspapers, following coverage of high profile court cases and human rights issues, spending time in the Public gallery of the House of Commons or a high court, following issues such as HS2 or anything else that grabs your interest will potentially raise your grade.

Past Papers

Past papers and a comprehensive revision guide will be provided  during Year 11. Further information can be found on the Edexcel website:

For More information email, Mr A Bird