Citizenship & PSHE

CITIZENSHIP & PSHE AT GREAT MARLOW SCHOOL

Citizenship and PSHE education is about empowering students to be confident ,so they can make decisions for themselves. It helps students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain. The course requires them to take responsibility for their own lives and the community in which they live.

Citizenship education has three core themes: Democracy & Government, Rights & Equalities and Fairness & Justice. It challenges students to develop:

• knowledge and understanding of the following topics: the law and the rules governing it; the democratic process; the media; human rights; diversity; money and the economy; sustainable development; and the world as a global community
• knowledge and understanding of the concepts: democracy, justice, equality, freedom, authority and the rule of law

Citizenship education develops three key skills: Research & Interrogating Evidence, Debating & Evaluating Viewpoints and Taking Informed Action. It challenges students to develop:

• skill and aptitude in critical thinking including being able to: analyse information; express opinions; take part in discussions and debates; negotiate; engage with conflict resolution; and participate in community action;
• values and dispositions including ‘British Values’: respect for justice; democracy and the rule of law; mutual respect, openness, tolerance and courage to defend a point of view; and a willingness to listen to, work with, and stand up for others.

PSHE education has three core themes: Health & Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World. It challenges students to develop:

• knowledge and understanding of the following topics: healthy lifestyles; personal safety; relationships and sex education; careers; and financial education.

PSHE education develops three key skills: Personal Skills, Relationship Skills and Enquiry Skills. It challenges students to develop:

•  the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society;
• decision-making skills around a range of topics from alcohol to relationships to employability.

There are two dedicated classrooms, both equipped with a PC, digital projector and DVD facilities. In addition, there is a wide selection of textbook resources. Qualified and experienced staff deliver the curriculum with enthusiasm to engage and motivate students.

CITIZENSHIP KS3 & KS4

KEY STAGE 3 PSHE & CITIZENSHIP 

Each half term the students in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 follow a module of  personal, health and social education (PSHE) and citizenship. The modules are delivered using PowerPoint, ICT and carefully prepared worksheets.

PSHE aims to:

• develop student confidence, responsibility and ability
• develop a respect for good relationships, which includes respecting the differences between people
• develop an understanding of what a healthy, safe lifestyle involves

Citizenship aims to:

• develop student knowledge and understanding to help them become informed citizens
• develop skills of enquiry and communication
• develop skills of participation and responsible action

Year 7  Term 1

• Topic 1 – Transition PSHE
• Topic 2 – Democracy and Government Citizenship

Term 2

• Topic 1 – Relationships PSHE
• Topic 2 – Health and Wellbeing PSHE

Term 3

• Topic 1 – Rights and Equalities Citizenship
• Topic 2 – Living in the Wider World Citizenship

Year 8  Term 1

• Topic 1 – Electoral Systems and Voting:  democracy; the role of parliament; general elections; the work of an MP; different forms of government

• Topic 2 – Health and Wellbeing: Personal Safety: fireworks, road safety, rail safety, drugs, tobacco, alcohol.

Term 2

• Topic 3 – Human Rights:  introduction to rights and responsibilities; right to water; rights and responsibilities at school; human rights abuse; child soldiers is the assessment topic
• Topic 4 – Financial Education: money skills, bank accounts and budgeting.

Term 3

• Topic 5 – Identity and Diversity: investigation into what is Britishness, identity, and immigration
• Topic 6 – Careers: interests and values

Year 9 Term 1

• Topic 1 – Controversial Issues: animal testing;  abortion; assisted death; the assessment topic is the death penalty 
• Topic 2 – Careers: planning for the future; understanding what a career is; selling one’s qualities; understanding different learning styles and how to harness their power to achieve success

Term 2

• Topic 3 – Government:  introduction to government and parliament; choosing an MP; making laws is the assessment topic
• Topic 4 –  Relationship and Sex Education (RSE):  Introduction to  to RSE includes a discussion of factors that affect relationships, consent, the law, contraception, STIs and sexual responsibility.

Term 3

• Topic 5 – The EU and /or United Nations: an introduction to the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), including an overview of their roles; an involved discussion about whether Britain should stay or leave the EU or a model United Nations debate around a current issue.
• Topic 6 – Media:  an investigation into what makes a good story; the role of a news broadcast; the importance and relevance of a free press; and the power of the media

KEY STAGE 4 PSHE

In dedicated PSHE lessons, students continue to explore the three core themes of:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Relationships and Sex
• Living in the Wider World 

KS4 CITIZENSHIP AND POLITICS GCSE Edexcel 1CS0

Students can choose to study a GCSE in this subject.

The course content is divided into five themes:

YEAR 10

A: Living together in the UK

This theme explores the idea that the UK is a diverse society of many different communities and groups that live together. Students will study the impact of migration and the nature of identity. They will also consider the different rights and freedoms we have in the UK, such as freedom of speech, tolerance and respect, plus, the checks and balances needed in relation to these, including debates about freedom of speech and the threat from terrorism.

B: Democracy at work in the UK

This theme investigates the idea of parliamentary democracy in the UK including voting and elections, the role of MPs, making and shaping law, also, how government is organised and kept in check.

C: Law and justice

Students explore why we need laws and how law affects us in our everyday lives. They consider how the justice system works in everyday life, including the roles and power of the police and the courts.

YEAR 11

D: Power and influence

In this theme we question how people exercise power, either as ordinary citizens, the government or the media. We contrast representative democracy in the UK with other less democratic countries. We also explore the UK’s role in the world, addressing topics such as the United Nations, the European Union and our role in solving global issues such as war, human rights abuse and poverty.

E: Taking citizenship action

Students choose an issue that they find particularly interesting, form a team, investigate it, plan and carry out their own action to address it. At the end they evaluate what they learned from their action.

Assessment

There are two written papers (each worth 50%). Each examination paper contains a mix of shorter questions based on sources and extended-response questions based on citizenship issues. The second paper also contains a short section about the student’s citizenship action.

Recommendations

Citizenship Studies requires students to engage with current affairs and research political issues. It is highly recommended that students subscribe to a news ‘app’ on their smartphone and/or regularly read a news website or newspaper.

The following websites will be particularly useful:

• www.parliament.uk
• www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics
• http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/citizenship-studies-2016.html