Citizenship

The aims of this are to establish the importance of positive, participative citizenship and to help students to understand essential information on which to base the development of skills, values and attitudes towards citizenship.

Citizenship and schools

One of the overall aims of the National Curriculum for England and Wales states that schools should promote pupils' self-esteem and emotional well-being and help them to form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships, based on respect for themselves and for others.

Furthermore, schools should help pupils to be responsible and caring citizens capable of contributing to the development of a just society.
Young people's awareness and understanding of, and respect for, the environments in which they live should be developed and their commitment to sustainable development at a personal, local, national and global level should be secured.

Citizenship and the Curriculum

The national curriculum emphasises the importance of citizenship: citizenship gives pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in society at local, national and international levels

It helps them to become informed, thoughtful and responsible citizens who are aware of their duties and rights. It promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, making them more self confident and responsible both in and beyond the classroom

It encourages pupils to play a helpful part in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods, communities and the wider world. It also teaches them about our economy and democratic institutions and values; encourages respect for different national, religious and ethnic identities and develops pupil's ability to reflect on issues and take part in discussions.

How is citizenship developed at the John Bramston School?
At the John Bramston School & College the following citizenship strands and components are introduced and developed throughout a students time at the school.

At key stage 3 and 4 citizenship becomes statutory.

Citizenship education has three interrelated strands:

• Social and moral responsibility
• Community involvement
• Political literacy

Components:

• community; collective rights and responsibilities;
• democracy in action;
• the citizen and the law;
• work and employment;
• public services;
• a plural society;
• leisure;
• being a citizen.

How are the concepts introduced and developed?

Through:

• tutorial programmes;
• the Core and Foundation subjects as appropriate;
• religious education;
• carefully timetabled visits from the external agencies and visitors e.g. police schools liaison officer.
• extension days
• extra-curricular activities
• outings and visits
  

DFES - Citizenship