Curriculum overview for GCSE Citizenship

Curriculum intent – the knowledge, understanding and skills that students will learn
Students will learn about power, democracy, the operation of government and the legal system, and the role of the UK in the wider world. They will explore and learn about different controversial and topical issues with political, social, ethical, economic and environmental dimensions in local to global contexts. They will experience taking citizenship action and learn from trying to make a difference themselves. Students will understand the range of methods and approaches that can be used by governments, organisations, groups and individuals to address citizenship issues in society and also create and communicate their own arguments, explaining hypotheses, ideas and different viewpoints and perspectives, countering viewpoints they do not support, giving reasons and justifying conclusions drawn. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the relationships between the different citizenship aspects studied, using the concepts to make connections, identify and compare similarities and differences in a range of situations from local to global. They will also learn to critically evaluate the effectiveness of citizenship actions to assess progress towards the intended aims and impact for the individuals, groups and communities affected.

Curriculum implementation – teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Teaching and learning strategies include a combination of student and teacher led activities. Students are encouraged to be curious about the wider world through flipped learning activities such as exploring current affairs and recording a voice note summary on their opinion of the case backed by evidence. Students are encouraged to debate and discuss in lessons and are challenged to put their points of view in context by using recent examples. Students are also challenged to debate issues from alternative perspectives which they may not necessarily agree which to encourage and challenge them to consider other points of view in order to form a substantiated judgement. Students also have the opportunity to visit UK Parliament, The Supreme Court, New York, to visit the UN headquarters and Ground Zero following 9/11, as well as trip to India, to visit a partner school. These external visits allow students to put their knowledge and understanding of UK politics and global Citizenship into practice.

Curriculum impact – intended outcomes for students 
Through their study of the GCSE course, students will be able to use and apply Citizenship knowledge and understanding to contribute to debates, show understanding of different viewpoints, make persuasive and reasoned arguments, and justify and substantiate their conclusions. They will learn how to use and apply citizenship knowledge, understanding and skills in order to participate in responsible actions to address citizenship issues aimed at improving society and positively contributing to democracy and public life, as individuals and in collaboration with others. Students will apply knowledge and understanding of key citizenship ideas and concepts, including democracy, government, justice, equality, rights, responsibilities, participation, community, identity and diversity, as well as think deeply and critically about a wide range of political, social, economic and ethical issues and questions facing society in local to global contexts.

Course overview for GCSE Citizenship
Exam board: Edexcel - Specification_GCSE_L1-L2_in_Citizenship.pdf
Coursework: Not applicable

GCSE Citizenship Paper 1 (50% of the qualification)   
Theme A: Living together in the UK 
Theme B: Democracy at work in the UK
Theme C: Law and justice.

GCSE Citizenship Paper 2 (50% of the qualification)
Theme D: Power and influence. 
Theme E: Taking citizenship action.