4 July 2008

For more information about citizenship go to: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/citizenship

What is citizenship education?

Citizenship aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to:

• become informed citizens, aware of their rights, responsibilities and duties
• play an effective role in relation to their local, national and international communities

The National Curriculum programme of study sets out a broad framework of essential knowledge and skills from which schools can develop citizenship programmes adapted to the needs of their own students and communities.

Through the citizenship curriculum, school must promote understanding about:

• the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
• the importance of voting
• the role of local and national government
• Britain as a multi-cultural society
• the justice system
• public system
• the media
• voluntary organisations
• the economy
• sustainable development
• other international and global issues

At the same time as furthering students’ understanding of society, the citizenship curriculum aims to develop skills of communication and debate – in other words helping young people research and discuss issues respectfully and argue their own point of views as effectively as possible. The curriculum also provides an opportunity for students to work cooperatively with others and take ‘responsible action’, such as getting involved in school council affairs or investigating a local or national issue.

For more information about citizenship go to: www.dfes.gov.uk/citizenship

Mrs C Staley

Headteacher