What is Citizenship and what are British Values? Why is it important?

 

The current Department of Education information on the promotion of Citizenship (2013) attempts to ensure that all pupils in UK state schools are taught about - and develop skills surrounding - British Citizenship. This builds upon earlier themes such as the 2008 National Curriculum identification of ‘Britain’s social diversity’ as part of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education and the 2011 Teachers’ Standards pointing out that teachers should maintain high standards in the promotion of key British values such as democracy and religious tolerance.

 

In agreement with the Citizenship and British Values guidance we at Christ the King believe that British Citizenship and British Values point towards the following: -

 

• a knowledge of how the UK is governed, how democracy works and how Citizens participate

• a knowledge and understanding of the role of law and justice

• a commitment to volunteering and Active Citizenship

• an ability to critically debate issues and arguments

• the awareness to manage money on a day-to-day basis, and to plan for the future in financial terms

 

 

 

 

 

Delivery of Citizenship and British Values

 

The first four aspects above are covered by the Citizenship team across 13 – 15 lessons over the academic year that form part of the Guidance Programme which is taught for one lesson every two weeks each Monday morning. Teachers select which part of the guidance programme they wish to be attached to resulting in enhanced motivation and a keen interest in the subject. The lessons are taught to Key Stages 3 and 4 pupils. Pupils have folders with a Citizenship section inside (green paper is used for all Citizenship materials). The financial delivery of Citizenship is provided separately by another aspect of the Guidance Programme here at Christ the King (Economics and Enterprise).

 

Topics Covered within discrete Citizenship lessons

 

• democratic government in the UK including the role of Citizens

• the operation of Parliament and elections

• how different electoral systems work, and also other types of government

• liberties of Citizens

• the nature of the justice system and how it deals with problems

• role of public institutions and voluntary groups

• international governance and human rights

• diversity and the need for mutual respect and understanding

• Active Citizenship

 

Skills Developed

 

• an ability to research and gather evidence

• an ability to debate and use evaluation

• take informed action regarding issues of concern or interest

 

In 2014 the Department for Education attempted to consolidate Citizenship with a ‘Promotion of British Values’. This is similar to the Citizenship document from 2013 but with an additional focus on religious freedom as protected by law.

 

Radicalism and Extremism

 

At Christ the King Catholic High School the Citizenship Programme examines the importance of religious freedom and diversity in the United Kingdom. We feel that we can provide a balanced curriculum that discourages racist and anti-minority aggression and discrimination that are promoted in the media by pressure groups. As a Catholic School we adopt an inclusive approach to religious belief and provide compulsory Religious Studies education that looks at Christianity and other world religions in a balanced way, learning about religion and from religion. Active Citizenship and an understanding of the UK political system is also important in order to provide pupils with the skills to recognise extremism in all its forms. Any concerns would be noted by staff and acted upon according to school policy, informing appropriate stakeholders including the Police. This would be of particular importance with regard to those who may be prone to leaving the country to join radical military groups in other countries. It is also noted that a lot of extremism does arise from issues of genuine concern and it is important that we discuss these issues openly to encourage critical debate. We deliver lessons on this topic to Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 as part of our Citizenship programme

 

Other Aspects of Citizenship and British Values

 

• There is a wide coverage of Citizenship across a number of different curricular subjects.

 

• RE is taught across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. At KS3 components include ethical decisions, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam, development education and the study of key inspirational leaders from a variety of cultures. At GCSE RE at Key Stage 4, all pupils follow a course that includes modules on Community Cohesion, and the study of two major world religions (Christianity and Islam). Sixth Form General RE Level 2 and 3 NOCN RE is provided at Key Stage 5 which also provides the opportunity to study Ethical theory, Holocaust, World Religions and Medical Ethics. Students are able to choose to study A Level Philosophy and Ethics in Years 12 and 13. Components include Ethical theories and their practical applications to a number of situations including medicine and Philosophy of Religion.

 

• Our Head of Science led a “British values” project across 38 schools in the Archdiocese. There will be a survey of pupils followed by cluster meetings and a conference where findings relating to how pupils consider British Values based on what the pupils think and how they would like it to be taught. This is an exciting and informative ‘bottom up’ investigation leading to further action not just in the archdiocese but also nationally.

 

• We have developed Citizenship Competencies and Pledges for pupils to work towards in their journals and Citizenship folders.  This is a joint project with SMSC to develop a series of pledges that promote competencies and encourage participation amongst pupils in the school. 

 

• Government and Politics and Law AS and A2 are delivered at Key Stage 5. There is an annual visit to the Houses of Parliament as part of the Sixth Form London Trip. This is open to pupils from other subjects too.

 

• We also offer GCSE and A level in Economics as an option subject alongside the “Economics and Enterprise” guidance lessons which all pupils follow.

 

• We have a democratically elected Pupil Council who meet regularly, as well as a Sixth Form Council and Leadership Group. The Head of Citizenship has been working with the Pupil Council in particular to establish links with local Food Banks and also to raise the profile of Child Labour as an international issue (The Religious Education Department, in tandem with school Chaplaincy, run a Fair Trade stall that sells a range of items).

 

• Local MP John Pugh visited school to participate in a Question and Answer session with the School Council, Sixth Form Leadership and Council, Government and Politics Students, and other interested parties. Over 50 pupils were in attendance and as a result of the interest generated, we have established work experience links with John Pugh’s office this year. Additionally, Jo Swinson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Women and Equalities visited the school later in the year to talk about women and politics. Richard Hands, local councillor is due to pay a visit to the school in the near future.

 

• There were assemblies on the topic of the General Election a few weeks before the General Election in May and we held a mock school election. Sixth Formers represented each of the main political parties. Everyone in the school was eligible to vote.

 

• Our annual awards evening is an extremely important event in the life of the school, involving hundreds of pupils and attracting an audience of over 1,400. Students receive an array of awards and certificates within a programme of events that displays a wide variety of talent. We will establish a new awards this year to reflect and promote British Values and Citizenship.

 

• We have annual visits from Parliament UK outreach to do assemblies with Year 11, Year 9 and workshops with the Year 12 and 13 Government and Politics groups.

 

• In the summer term, we hold ‘Citizenship’ days where classes in Years 7, 8 and 9 have Citizenship themes in all their lessons for one morning once a year.

 

• Individual liberty and responsibility are covered under our E-Safety training, which is provided through Guidance lessons.

 

• In March 2015 a group of pupils from the Pupil Council and local Primary schools were involved in a “clean up” at Bedford Park, which is close to the school.

 

• There will also be a ‘speed dating’ pupil voice event later this year run by Ms Jamil. This will involve local councillors, governors and SLT. Pupils will be discussing Citizenship related issues.

 

• Our SMSC policy has been recently reviewed together with the opportunities that are made available to pupils and students to engage in SMSC. The governing body of the school and students have taken a keen role in this process. (see SMSC Policy). Recently this has led to further development of opportunities for our pupils and students including:

 

• A residential Year 8 three day retreat, with more opportunities being developed

• SMSC themed learning opportunities across the curriculum

• A review of the resources for prayer, worship and assemblies that aids active participation

• A bucket list series of pledges for Year 7 pupils to encourage their participation, available via their school personal journal (see relevant pages)

• A series of themed SMSC curriculum days for year groups in which all their lessons have a SMSC focus within the relevant subject area. The year 9 day at Easter was designated with a British Culture theme. Meetings were held with relevant departments and teachers and resources/topics discussed.

 

 

Active Citizenship

 

Charity

 

The school supports the local Hospice Queenscourt as its main charity. We have also supported international charities. We have raised close to £76,000 in recent years.