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KS4: GCSE Citizenship Studies

Intent

GCSE Citizenship Studies has the power to motivate and enable young people to become thoughtful, active citizens. At Strood Academy we teach students to gain a deeper knowledge of democracy, government and law, and develop skills to create sustained and reasoned arguments, present various viewpoints and plan practical citizenship actions to benefit society.

Students will also gain the ability to recognise bias, critically evaluate argument, weigh evidence and look for alternative interpretations and sources of evidence, all of which are essential skills valued by higher education and employers.

We believe that this curriculum will encourage students to explore more about this riveting and relevant subject and allow them to continue their study through A level Sociology, Law or Criminology.

Curriculum Journey

Year 10 introduces students to Active Citizenship, Life in Modern Britain and Rights and Responsibilities. In year 11 students put their knowledge into practice by choosing their own active citizenship project and putting into place an action to make an improvement in their local community whilst also learning about politics in local and global contexts and draw upon comparisons between the UK government and how other countries are run. Students will learn about the importance of legislation, the police and the judiciary system as well as the rights that we have as citizens and the acts brought in to protect our rights. 

Although this is a subject not taught at KS3, students can draw upon prior knowledge in subjects such as History and English through years 7-9 whilst also preparing them for A level study in a number of subjects across the Social Sciences. 

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

Careers

Pupils studying Citizenship will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Civil servants
  • Public services
  • Legal roles
  • Political roles
  • Medical professions
  • Journalism
  • The Police Force

Assessment

External Assessment

  • 2 x written exams. 
  • Both 1 hour and 45 minutes in duration.
  • 80 marks each.
  • Both worth 50% of the qualification.

Module 1

Theme 1 – Life in Modern Britain

  • What are the principles and values that underpin British society?
  • What do we mean by identity?
  • What is the role of the media and the free press?

Module 2

Theme 1 – Life in Modern Britain

  • What is the UK’s role in key international organisations?
  • How can citizens make their voice heard and make a difference in society?

Module 3

Theme 2 – Rights and Responsibilities

  • What laws does a society require and why?
  • What are a citizen’s rights and responsibilities within the legal system?

Module 4

Theme 2 – Rights and Responsibilities

  • How has the law developed over time, and how does the law protect the citizen and deal with criminals?
  • What are the universal human rights and how do we protect them?

Module 5

Theme 2 – Rights and Responsibilities

  • How do citizens play a part to bring about change in the legal system?

Module 6

Revision

Mock exam

Introduction to Theme 4 – Active Citizenship

Module 1

Theme 4 – Active Citizenship

  • The investigation: taking citizenship action

Module 2

Theme 3 – Politics and Participation

  • Where does political power reside in the UK and how is it controlled?

Mock exams

Module 3

Theme 3 – Politics and Participation

  • What are the powers of local and devolved government and how can citizens participate?
  • Where does political power reside: with the citizen, parliament or government?

Module 4

Theme 3 – Politics and Participation

  • How do others govern themselves?
  • How can citizens try to bring about political change?

Mock exams

Module 5

Revision

GCSE Paper 1

Module 6

GCSE Paper 2