Why citizenship educationin secondary schools?

Key arguments and actionsfor senior managers

Citizenship Foundation, June 2013

Aims of these slides

1. Set out the key reasons for effective development of citizenship education policy and practice

2. Detail actions you need to take now for citizenship education in your school

3. Explain where and how citizenship education should be developed in schools

4. Highlight the benefits and impacts of effective citizenship education in schools.

Citizenship education can…

• Raise school standards and student achievement• Improve behaviour and reduce exclusions• Empower students through real decision-making

and consultation in and beyond school• Fulfil statutory obligations for the National

Curriculum, SMSC and Ofsted • Strengthen the school as a living community by

improving student relations• Enable students to understand and engage with

big, controversial issues

• Strengthen transition from KS2 to KS3• Deliver distinctive, core curriculum knowledge

about politics, law, economy and active citizenship

• Develop key skills that employers want (such as leadership and teamwork)

• Improve links to other initiatives (International School Awards, Rights Schools etc)

• Strengthen links between curriculum and school culture

• Strengthen partnerships with wider communities• Better prepare students for adult life beyond

school.

Citizenship education can…

Why citizenship education?

Key facts

• Citizenship is the only subject in the National Curriculum that explicitly teaches democracy, politics, the law, the economy and social action.

• Half a million young people have achieved a GCSE or A level in citizenship since 2002.

• Young people have initiated over 100,000 active citizenship projects in their communities since the GCSE was introduced.

• Citizenship guards against indoctrination. Teachers and local authorities are required by the Education Act 1996 to ensure students are presented with different points of view so that they can make up their own minds.

Citizenship education meets government policy

• Citizenship remains a National Curriculum subject at key stages 3 and 4

• All young people have an entitlement to citizenship education

• Ofsted continues to inspect citizenship in the curriculum, and in the wider school through SMSC

• GCSE Citizenship Studies is still available• A and AS level citizenship courses are available• New teachers are being trained for citizenship,

through university and school-based routes.

‘Citizenship will remain a programme of study at key stages 3 and 4 and I look forward to… ensure that this valuable subject is even better taught in more of our schools.‘

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for EducationHouse of Commons, February 2013

Image: Department for Education

Citizenship remains in the National Curriculum

‘I can reassure you about Ofqual’s position on citizenship qualifications. Ministers have decided that Citizenship should stay as a foundation subject at Key Stages 3 and 4. There will therefore continue to be a GCSE in Citizenship Studies.‘

Glenys Stacey, Chief Regulator, Ofqual

GCSE Citizenship Studies to be retained

Who benefits?

Citizenship education

Whole school

Curriculum

Students

Wider communities

Benefits: The whole school

• Addresses SMSC strand of Ofsted’s inspection framework

• Strengthens student voice and participation• Impacts on student leadership• Strengthens the school as a community• Improves behaviour and attitudes• Raises achievement and motivation

• GCSE, A and AS Citizenship Studies pass rates• Student happiness about school• Student motivation in school.

Benefits: Students

• Develops key skills of student voice, leadership and teamwork

• Gives them opportunities to take part in decision-making with responsibilities

• Helps them to express views and opinions• Improves self-confidence and self-esteem• Enables them to make a positive contribution in

and beyond the school• Enhances student achievement• Better prepares them for life as adults.

• ‘Citizenship teaching has made me realise that my opinion matters and my action is needed.’ Student, year 13

• ‘Citizenship has built my self-confidence and helped me understand how the world works.’ Student, year 11

• ‘Citizenship has given me belief that you can make a positive difference whatever your age.’ Student, year 9

Benefits: Students

Benefits: Wider communities

• Brings civil society into the school• Aids transition between primary and secondary

(KS2 -3)• Takes the school out into the local community • Connects with wider communities and civil

society beyond the school• Develops young people informed about and

willing to participate in community life• Develops young people with an interest in and

opinions about ‘big, controversial issues’ in society.

Schools think citizenship is important

• School leaders and teachers increasingly recognise the benefits of effective citizenship education• at school level • at student level • at community level

• They are also aware of the impact of citizenship education in and beyond schools, now and in the future.Citizenship Education Longitudinal Study, [2002 - 2010],

National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)

Wider benefits for school managers

Citizenship Education Longitudinal Study

Consulting with students

Students' future participation in community

Students' future voting behaviour

Students' engagement with local issues

Students' confidence

School's relationship with community

Students' participation in school

Behaviour of students in school

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

% respondents

Citizenship impacts on school areas

Citizenship Education Longitudinal Study

Students' increasing awareness of current affairs

Improving tolerance and respect

Students able to make informed decisions

Students becoming well-rounded citizens

Increasing students' participation

Developing school as a community

Improving behaviour and attitudes

Improving school links with community

Cross-curricular links

Other

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

School teachersSchool leaders

% respondents

Where should citizenship education be developed?

Three contexts for developing citizenship

Curriculum (classroom)

Wider communities(community)

School community(culture)

What to address in the three contexts

CurriculumCore knowledge

Key skillsControversial issues

School communityParticipation

Decision-makingVoice and leadership

Teamwork

Wider communities

ParticipationDecision-making

Big issuesEngagement with

adults

Take immediate action

You need to…

1. Re-engage with citizenship in your school2. Know where to get appropriate training and

support3. Provide strong, visible SLT support 4. Review the school’s vision, ethos and

development plan in line with the new National Curriculum aims and citizenship Programmes of Study (including new statutory financial education)

5. Amend policy and approaches to fit National Curriculum requirements and meet Ofsted expectations

6. Review how it is approached and interconnected in the three contexts:• Curriculum: discrete, ex-curricular, dropdown, etc• School community: participation, voice and leadership• Wider community: links, projects and exchanges

7. Ensure senior leadership and governor support 8. Make sure you have a strong, qualified

citizenship co-ordinator who is well respected9. Check staff are adequately trained and resourced

to deliver effective practice in school (both in curriculum subjects and school life)

You need to…

10.Make certain there are rigorous assessment approaches (formative and summative)

11.Check that appropriate monitoring and evaluation is in place for each of the ‘three contexts’

12.Ensure students are well informed about approaches in the school and are actively involved

13.Ensure parents and community representatives are informed about approaches in and beyond the school.

You need to…

BEFORE ASKING

what kind ofeducation system

do we need,we need to ask

what kind of societydo we want?

Chilean writer

David Kerr

These slides are written by David Kerr. David has a strong track record in citizenship education in the UK, in Europe, and internationally.

David Kerr was Professional Officer to the Citizenship Advisory Group (known as the 'Crick Group‘) before becoming citizenship consultant to the DfES (now the Department for Education). Later, David was Research Director for NFER's Citizenship Education Longitudinal Study (CELS). He is now Consultant Director of Education at the Citizenship Foundation and Co-Director of the International Education Association's International Civic and Citizenship Education Study, which involves 38 countries worldwide.

Citizenship FoundationThe Citizenship Foundation is a charity, established in 1989. We inspire people to take part in society as equal members of it. We help them to understand the law, politics and public life.

citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/school-support

• We promote civic participation;• We help schools and colleges with citizenship

education;• We work with young people on issues that

concern them.

June 2013. © Citizenship Foundation