Citizenship

“I just felt I couldn’t be a part of this…I said to myself, sorry, I’m not going to be a

collaborator in this scheme. Then I asked myself, ‘What can I do?”

Desmond Tutu

Subject Intent:

At Smithills School the Citizenship curriculum engages pupils with the world around them both locally, nationally and internationally with practical tasks and direct contact. Pupils ask questions about the issues that face their communities and world and are challenged to take action meaningful to them and the community to make a difference. The taking action element of Citizenship should be meaningful to them and the wider world. Pupils are empowered to and supported to select their own focus, embodying the true values of citizenship, they need to be knowledgeable and passionate about the action they are engaged in to do this. The curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge and skills to answer challenging questions about identity, political systems, law and the UKs role in the wider world. It actively promotes taking an active role in society seeking to make a difference, this is therefore embedded at every opportunity, in Session 0, year 8 in campaigns as part of the school’s wider SMSC. The teaching of Citizenship makes links between the systems of law and politics studied and the roles and responsibilities we as individuals can play within these both to uphold and improve them. The teaching of Citizenship is vital for pupils to understand how society functions and make connections between their own values and identity and those of others. Our role is to ensure pupils become inquisitive by asking questions about the world around them and allowing them to gain the experience of a citizenship curriculum that is current, well-resourced and offers pupils as many opportunities for a wider experiential curriculum as possible. Our curriculum offers the opportunity to engage their minds and hearts in the world around them to change it, to challenge it and improve it. The curriculum helps develop responsibility and respect for all aspects of diversity, whether it be social, political, legal, cultural or religious, and prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain.

The PD Key Stage 3/4 curriculum meets the National curriculum requirements for pupils whilst ensuring they have numerous opportunities to debate, discuss and actively participate in citizenship, the true essence of the subject, encouraging them to feel empowered to become citizens who want to make a difference. This is demonstrated by the passionate discussions they have about voting ages, or fund raising they lead on for numerous issues or donations that pour in every year for Urban Outreach (in our mirrored PD Session 0 Curriculum).

We built the curriculum with the intent that students will be:

experience a broad, deep and knowledge rich curriculum that students build on limited prior learning from Key Stage 2 to broaden their understanding and appreciation of different world views. They are challenged to learn through the use of ‘BIG Questions’ and are required to think hard in lessons using ‘higher order’ skills such as analysis and evaluation.
be literate and numerate through developing their verbal and written literacy skills. Through debates and discussions pupils develop their ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject.
have high expectations for their behaviour and achievement by showing respect and understanding of different viewpoints which may differ to their own.
develop their cultural, moral, social, mental and physical development by promoting a wide variety of learning opportunities, with an emphasis on ‘real life’ learning that ensures all pupils have the opportunity to become actively involved in the life of the school and its community.
be prepared for life beyond the school by helping pupils think critically, listen empathetically, speak thoughtfully, and write clearly. These are all skills that will be of great use to pupils in all areas of life. In an increasingly diverse society and global world it will aid pupils to formulate their own opinion with respect and become resilient individuals that support changes to come.
have a practical knowledge of specific systems such as voting, roles and careers such as the role of an MP, the police, the role of a member of a jury gives pupils practical careers knowledge and knowledge about how systems that will impact their life operate.
That they will want to participate in their communities and bring about positive change.

Subject Implementation:

KS3 is taught through PD curriculum time which is an hour over the fortnight. At KS4 from September 2023 pupils at KS4 will have an hour a fortnight PD to cover statutory RE, RSHE and Citizenship.
In year 7 pupils focus on citizenship issues around effective participation, campaigning and making a difference learning about groups who seek to influence those in power at the start of the school year to introduce them to the importance of becoming an active part of school and the power of positive student voice. This seeks to introduce Citizenship and motive pupils to take a leading role on the school’s pupil leadership.
In year 8 the politics, law and me scheme of learning provides pupils with a detailed understanding of a range of political systems, the importance and how to of voting, roles and responsibilities of MPs, PMs and the functions of our legal system and roles within this.
The sequences of learning encourage debate and discussion through the structure of the lessons and the nature of teaching. Pupils are encouraged to think about why we have laws and the benefits of democracy vs dictatorships etc.
In year 9 pupils will be looking at whether the systems we have in place such as an uncodified constitution free press, police and monarchy are useful to us as a nation questioning how our society would be different if we did not have these in place, whether we do still need and benefit from the checks and balances they offer.
From Sept 2023 the KS4 the hour will allow pupils to spend time focusing on the power and importance of the vote, laws incl international laws their rights as a citizens and our court system so they are fully prepared for the consequences of living in modern Britain.

Subject Enrichment:

Virtual Political engagement via the Politics Project interviewing political figures.
Conversation with PeaceJam representatives about the importance of effective campaigns
Taking part in the 1 Billion Acts of Peace Campaign – actively recording our acts as part of the international campaign as staff have completed additional training.
Active citizenship Projects.
Whysup gambling gaming and mental health
There is also cross over content covered in the Session 0 Curriculum which is covered in the following places All - Rights and Responsibilities at home, in work and the wider community, equality and diversity linked to the protected characteristics, respect and consequence, pupils start with the idea of Remembrance Day touching on our countries history in year 7 and then build on wider issues in society. Laws, stereotypes and diversity, community cohesion and issues of poverty and social action are all dealt with in the cyclical curriculum built on yearly for pupils and themed monthly. British Values are taught across all years in the first week and woven in across the wider curriculum, this is linked in with our school values and promoted through school democratically run elections previously and now pupils who volunteer themselves and go through discussions about who is best fit for the role and student run newsletters.
There is additional cross over with the taught RE Diverse UK identities taught in Year 7 SOL Why is faith important? , which also includes radicalisation, How do behaviours and attitudes impact on the community? – considering how a range of choices might impact not just our own physical and mental health but have cost and wider implications for those living in our communities and how we should tackle these. In Year 9 the REP curriculum is focussed on a vast array of moral issues covering stewardship of the earth Do we treat creation correctly? Pressure Groups, Budgets, Rights and liberties, Do We Value Life? Covers the Law concerning Knife Crime and Alcohol and How do relationships impact our lives covers the Law on issues such as homosexuality, equality, abortion and consent. All of these topics look at wider issues of social action, rights, government role and responsibility, personal liberty.

Development

London Trip for visiting The Houses of Parliament
Bolton visiting the local council chambers and office
Visiting courts during trial to see law in action ( trial dependent) / tour of law courts

Subject Impact:

Adaptive curriculum that allows pupils to tackle controversial issues in the current world such as pandemic and impact of quick laws passed as a result, the impact on the country of events such as this policing the policy, the reaction of people both positive and negative. Supports pupils social, moral spiritual cultural through guidance and support as events unfold.
Develop a wide range of vocabulary that supports their understanding of real life issues such as radicalisation.
Develop pupil skills to articulate their own opinions based on evidence presented to them.
Give pupils techniques to support their leadership and group working skills, encouraging team work that will allow them to become independent resilient learners and creating real life taking action campaigns that can make a difference to the community.
Helps pupils build empathy skills to ensure they have the opportunity to grow and support the community.