Citizenship

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship education is about helping young people understand the rights and responsibilities they have as members of society. It recognises and builds on the excellent work that already goes on in many primary, special and secondary schools, and makes it an entitlement for all pupils. It is an opportunity to develop the sort of activities that inspired many teachers to join the teaching profession.

In September 2002, citizenship education became a statutory part of the National Curriculum in secondary schools, building on the important work developed through the PSHE and Citizenship Framework in primary schools.

What is PSHE?

PSHE education is a whole school ethos equipping children and young people with the knowledge and skills to deal with a range of issues they face as they grow up. It covers:

·                     drugs and alcohol education

·                     emotional health and well-being

·                     sex and relationship education (SRE)

·                     nutrition and physical activity

·                     personal finance

·                     safety

·                     careers education

·                     work-related learning.

What is Citizenship/ PSHE at Key Stage 3

Citizenship at Key Stage 3 enables pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to become informed, active and responsible members of local, national and global communities. The curriculum is relevant to pupils, connecting their interests and experiences, and relating to their backgrounds. It also provides pupils with the opportunities to address real-life issues and show they can make a difference.

What Citizenship is at Key Stage 4

Citizenship at Key Stage 4 is more than just an extension of the knowledge, skills and understanding gained at Key Stage 3. It lays the foundations for the future, where young people will continue to develop their Citizenship skills and have increasing opportunities to put into practice what they have learnt about being active citizens. During Key Stage 4 pupils take increasing responsibility for their own learning and become increasingly independent (learning to learn). They play a significant part in the life of the school, contributing to decision-making and realising that participation in the organisation of the school contributes to their own achievements and to those of others.

HOW CITIZENSHIP / PSHE IS DELIVERED:

At Key Stage 3:        

• Students have one discrete Citizenship/PSHE lesson per fortnight.
• It is also delivered across the curriculum by all subjects.
• It is incorporated across the whole school through the school council and house system.
• Students have one extra lesson per half term where they get the opportunity for some Active Citizenship and PSHE..

At Key Stage 4:

• It is delivered across the curriculum by all subjects.
• It is incorporated across the whole school through the school council and house system.
• Students have one extra lesson per half term.

Acknowledgement of Citizenship /PSHE Work

Key Stage 3 students have a portfolio of evidence of their Citizenship achievements which now includes a progress file where all their assessments, areas they have covered etc can be recorded down each year. These portfolios contain work done in the fortnightly discrete lessons, work done during the rotational lessons, achievements through any other part of the school curriculum (for example school council) and through work done outside the school curriculum (for example through forms of community service). Key Stage 4 students will continue adding work and recognitions of their achievements to their Key Stage 3 portfolio. This will then be available for them to take with them when they leave school at the end of Year 11.

Awarding Active Participation in Citizenship

Appropriate recognition and reward for participating in Citizenship activities will provide powerful motivation for the pupils. Once a term the best citizen in each year is awarded a certificate by their teacher. The best citizen is decided on by votes from their fellow tutees.  At the end of the Key Stage 4 at the Year 11 leaver’s presentation evening, a certificate will be given to the best overall citizen decided on by the teachers.

Citizenship is delivered by:

• Enthusiastic teachers.
• A variety of theatre companies.
• The community Police for the Broomfield area.
• Outside agencies, for example OutCry.
•  The local Primary Health Care Trust nurses.

Mrs K Cook