Citizenship

What is Citizenship?  

Citizenship at HASU is the study of the relationship between individuals and the state. Citizenship encompasses the rights and responsibilities that we all have as members of society and how we in turn are impacted by society around us. We study democracy, government and law as well as many more topics that prepare all students to become functioning and contributing members of British society.  

 

Why do we teach Citizenship at HASU? 

The Citizenship curriculum at HASU has been designed to give students a foundation of knowledge of the key pillars that allow society to function. Citizenship forms an integral part of HASU’s Personal Development Curriculum, with lessons taught during tutor time. In these lessons, students are provided with powerful knowledge and concepts of democracy and active citizenship, amongst others, that prepare them for later life. At Key Stage 3, this includes human rights, privacy, individual liberty and different types of electoral system. The topics covered ensure that all students gain understanding of society and the role that they play within it. 

 

At GCSE, this foundational understanding is developed and expanded upon. GCSE Citizenship students gain the ability to recognise bias, critically evaluate arguments, weigh evidence, and look for alternative interpretations and sources of evidence, all of which are skills that will benefit them in higher education and employment. Citizenship at HASU also develops students’ skills to allow them to create sustained and reasoned arguments, present various viewpoints, critical analyse opinions and plan practical citizenship actions to benefit society.  

 

How do we teach Citizenship at HASU? 

At HASU, Citizenship is taught by:  

 

• Ensuring all students have a breadth and strength of knowledge of the key concepts of citizenship. This is supported by the use of comparative case studies which allow students to consolidate and demonstrate their understanding through their use and evaluation of specific and real examples. The use of retrieval practice and assessment for learning techniques such as questioning will also allow students to consolidate and broaden this knowledge and enable them to formulate and express substantiated opinions and judgements.  

 

• Consolidating student understanding through practical activities, such as curriculum trips such as to the Supreme court and Houses of Parliament. Exposure to democracy in action is vital in allowing students opportunities to engage with practical examples of what has been only theoretical within the classroom. Students also study a topic on active citizenship, which allows students to become involved with community issues and try implement positive change within the local area. 

 

• Developing skills to that students can form substantiated opinions, critically analyse alternatives viewpoints and to form conclusive judgements. This is done through classroom debate and discussion throughout the course. 

 

What exam board do we study? 

Students studying Citizenship at HASU follow the AQA Citizenship Studies (8100) specification. 

 

How do we assess students in GCSE Citizenship? 

Students will be assessed through a combination of practise exam style questions that reflects the variety of style and content breadth each citizenship theme covers. This can range from multiple choice questions, short answer, source analysis and extended answer questions. Formative assessments will be used to reflect students’ progress and understanding. It will also allow for supportive reflection of areas to improve and weaknesses which will allow students to improve and develop their responses. These formative assessments will take place twice per half term, with more formal assessments taking place twice a year, where practice exams will be sat with questions from the exam board.  

 

How do we use homework in GCSE Citizenship? 

Students will be set a variety of activities for homework to engage them with learning outside of the classroom. Homework will not only consolidate their classroom learning, through a mix of tasks ranging from quizzes and exam style questions, but they will also engage with case studies and research that can be discussed and dissected in the classroom following completion. Homework will also involve revision of previous topics, development of revision materials and practical work as part of the active citizenship topic.