Citizenship is a contemporary subject that explores issues that affect people on a local, national and global level. It is a subject that instructs and guides students on how to fully participate in a range of activities such as political debates and campaigns. Citizenship gives you knowledge of the legal and political systems in the UK as well as its role in the global community. It teaches you to think critically about controversial issues and develops your presentation and advocacy skills. It comprises four themes:

  • Theme 1 - Life in Modern Britain: identity, diversity, migration, tax, government spending, the media, the role of NGOs, global governance and forms of citizen action.
  • Theme 2 - Rights and Responsibilities: the theory of rights and responsibilities, rationale for evolution of human rights, legal rights, conflicting rights and responsibilities, rational for law, rule of law, criminality and the criminal justice system, punishment and sentencing.
  • Theme 3 - Politics and Participation: democracy and other government systems, power of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary in the UK (separation of powers) electoral systems, the role of the political parties and the role of pressure groups.
  • Theme 4 - Active Citizenship: Students investigate a citizenship issue of their choice and set up a campaign; it involves research, action and reflection. Students additionally use examples of successful campaigning and how it draws links to their own campaign.

Course structure

Year 9:

  • Introduction to Citizenship - developing students’ understanding of citizenship concepts and skills through the four themes stated above.

  • Theme 1 Life in Modern Britain

  • Theme 2 Rights and Responsibilities

Year 10:

  • Theme 1 Life in Modern Britain
  • Theme 2 Rights and Responsibilities
  • Theme 3 Politics and Participation
  • Theme 4 Active Citizenship

Year 11:

  • Theme 2 Rights and Responsibilities
  • Theme 3 Politics and Participation
  • Active Citizenship revisited
  • Revision

Assessment information

  • Two written examinations at the end of Year 11 = 100% of GCSE grade
  • Multiple choice, short answer, source based questions and extended answer questions • Content and subject knowledge - 75%
  • Student action - 15%
  • Knowledge of other Citizenship actions – 10%

Examination information

Exam Paper 1: 1 hr 45 mins written exam

Total marks: 80

50% of GCSE Questions

  • Section A Active citizenship - Active citizenship questions – (40 marks): questions on the 12 citizenship action of others and questions on the students taking citizenship action investigation (40 marks)

  • Section B: Politics and participation – (40 marks): question types: multiple-choice, shortanswer, source-based questions, extended answer (8 marks) questions based in short sources with marks differing values and requiring additional knowledge application and evaluation

Exam Paper 2: 1hr 45mins written exam

Total marks 80

50% of GCSE questions

  • Section A: Life in modern Britain questions (40 marks): Questions based in short sources with marks differing values and requiring additional knowledge application and evaluation
  • Section B: Rights and responsibilities questions (40 marks): Question types: multiple-choice, short answer, source-based questions, extended answer, questions based in short sources with marks differing values and requiring additional knowledge application and evaluation.

What do you have to do to be successful in this subject?

Students will need to:

  • Have an awareness and interest of issues in the news which affect the UK.
  • Read around topics by watching the news, reading the news and debating the news.
  • Be prepared to debate issues and participate in active citizenship activities.
  • Be organised and be able to work independently and within a group in order to take responsible action in school, on local and global community issues.
  • Be keen to practise skills such as negotiation, collaboration, discussion and debate.
  • Be able to evaluate, analyse, critique and argue points both verbal and in written form.

What you will need to do as part of your learning at home?

Students will:

  • Need to keep up to date with major news events and important political developments.
  • Be expected to devise, plan, carry out and evaluate their own active citizenship campaign.
  • Need to review all content of the course.
  • Be expected to complete longer essays and written answers including exam questions.