GCE Citizenship

The Only Specification

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New A Levels from 2008

• 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper• Reduce the Assessment Burden

– From 6 units to 4 units: 2 at AS and 2 at A2

• Introduce Stretch and Challenge– New A* Grade

• Subject Criteria– Defines the framework of content for specifications

and the assessment objectives

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Why Citizenship?

• “Citizenship education … is not just knowledge of citizenship and civil society; it also implies developing values, skills and understanding.” the Crick report, September 1998

• “Post-16, citizenship takes critical democracy and active participation a step further. Post-16 citizenship should give young people opportunities to identify, investigate and think critically about citizenship issues, problems or events of concern to them.” Towards Consensus, Ofsted, September 2006

• “Citizenship education … does have at its heart a commitment to enabling young people to participate fully in a democracy, and ultimately, securing a cohesive and inclusive society” Citizenship Education, House of Commons Education and Skills Committee, February 2007

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What is Citizenship about?

• Identity: What is a citizen? Are we all equal?• Democracy: politics at local, national and

global level• Justice: How does law work in practice?• Power: How are decisions made?• Participation in the community: Local to

Global• How individuals and groups can make a

difference

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The dynamics of GCE Citizenship

• Develops and expands upon students’ Key Stage 4 knowledge base

• The citizen as both an individual and a member of the community is at the heart of the AS modules

• The GCE AS as a standalone qualification should enable students to gain more than UCAS points

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The dynamics of GCE Citizenship

• Active Citizenship and the development of related skills is embedded within the AS

• The A2 demands higher order skills in both depth and range of knowledge expected and in relation to the application of Active Citizenship Skills via researching contemporary Case Studies

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Why GCE Citizenship?

• Allows for clear progression from the GCSE Short Course, and GCSE Full Course once available (September 2009)

• Can plan a coherent 11-18 citizenship framework supported by a qualification structure

• Offers the curriculum opportunity to develop students’ understanding of contemporary society and the role played by individuals and groups

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Why GCE Citizenship?

• Enables students to play their part, helps develop the Learner’s Voice and, via the emphasis on active citizenship, develops more confident learners

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Skills Developed

• Planning, negotiating, decision making• Researching, analysing and evaluating

information• Recognising views and opinions and being able

to identify bias• Developing arguments and conclusions• Working with others and problem solving

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AQA and Citizenship2001

2002

2003

2006

2008

2009 GCSE Citizenship Studies (Full Course) available

AQA’s A Level Citizenship Studies available

Extended Project pilot

GCSE Citizenship Studies (Short Course) launched

AS Social Science: Citizenship piloted

Citizenship becomes a Statutory National Curriculum Subject

AS Social Science: Citizenship launched

First Specialised Diplomas available

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Underlying Principles

3 stages of Citizenship development• The Informed Citizen• The Participating Citizen• The Active Citizen

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Qualifications across the Key Stages

• Level1/2 AQA Unit Award Scheme

• Level 2 GCSE Short Course

• Level 2 GCSE Full Course (September 2009)

• Level 3 GCE AS Social Science: Citizenship

• Level 3 GCE AS (September 2008)

• Level 3 GCE A2 (September 2008)

• Level 3 Extended Project

• AQA Bacc

• Specialised Diploma 14-19

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AS at a GlanceUnit Weighting Title Content

11h 15m

20% Identity,

Rights and Responsibilities

Identity

1 compulsory question + 1 mini essay (from 2)

Rights & Responsibilities

1 compulsory question + 1 mini essay (from 2)

21h 30m

30% Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation

Making a Difference

1 compulsory question + 1 mini essay (from 2)

Active Citizenship

1 structured question based on active citizenship participation

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A2 at a Glance

Unit Weighting Title Content

31h 30m

25% Power and Justice Crime, Justice & Punishment

1 question from a choice of 3

Power, Politics & Participation

1 question from a choice of 3

41h 30m

25% Global Issues and Making a Difference

Global Citizenship

1 question from a choice of 3

Active Citizenship

1 from 2 based on topics released in advance

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AS Unit 1: Identity, Rights and Responsibilities

Identity• What does it mean to be British?

– What is a Citizen and perceptions of being ‘British’ – How socially diverse is Britain?

• Are we all equal citizens? – Prejudice, discrimination and disadvantage – How can discrimination and disadvantage be

reduced?

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AS Unit 1: Identity, Rights and Responsibilities

Rights and Responsibilities• What are my rights and responsibilities?

– What are rights? – What rights do I have?

• How are my rights protected and supported? – The Legal Framework – protecting the citizen – How do the courts protect my rights?

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AS Unit 2: Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation

Making a Difference• Who can make a difference?

– Who holds power in the UK? – Who can make a difference?

• How can I make a difference? – Playing your part: how the citizen can get involved

and make a difference– Citizenship in Action: Citizens working together to

bring about change

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AS Unit 2: Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation

• Active Citizenship Skills and Participation– Becoming an Informed Citizen– The Participating Citizen– Being an Active Citizen

• The Active Citizenship Profile

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A2 Unit 3: Power and Justice

Crime, Justice and Punishment• What is Crime?

– The nature of crime and the role of the police – The Crown Prosecution Service and the trial

process

• What is Justice? – Who makes decisions: Judges, Magistrates and

Juries – Sentencing

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A2 Unit 3: Power and Justice

Politics, Power and Participation• Who speaks on our behalf?

– Electing representatives, elections and accountability

– The citizen’s relationship to those elected

• How is the UK governed? – The power and influence of government – Interdependence and the global village

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A2 Unit 4: Global Issues and Making a Difference

• Global Citizenship– Universal Human Rights

• Universal rights • Human rights abuse

– Global Issues • Conflict and its resolution • Trade and environmental issues

• Active Citizenship– Individuals and groups that make a difference

Studied through pre-released topics

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Active CitizenshipFor discussion: possible activities?

• Participation in class debate exercising knowledge and understanding about becoming informed citizens, with pupils making responsible suggestions

• Written and other class and home work arising from work in citizenship taken to sensible conclusions and containing responsible suggestions

• Where appropriate, recommendations, delivered in a responsible way to the management of the school, local authorities and other bodies, on policies and practice (for example, via the school council)

• Where appropriate, recommendations, delivered responsibly, to the public at large in school publications and on school internet sites

• Presenting a case or concern to others• Conducting a consultation, vote or election• Organising a meeting, event or debate• Reviewing a school policy; contributing to community policies• Lobby and campaigning via a website, podcast or display• Setting up an action group or network; training others in democratic skills

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AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications:Unit Award Scheme

• Provides formal recognition of students’ learning in short units of work

• For students of any ability and any age• Units can be written for your own use or you

can select from the citizenship units already available

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AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications:GCSE Short Course

• Over 73,000 candidates in 2007• The course meets the requirements of the

KS4 Programme of Study• Assessment

– Written paper 60%– Coursework 40% - Active Citizenship element

• Full Course available September 2009

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AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications:Extended Project

• Level 3 Qualification developed with City & Guilds

• In-depth project covering a range of knowledge, skills and processes

• Available nationally from 2008• Active Citizenship can form part of the

Extended Project• Level 1 and Level 2 being piloted now

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AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications:AQA Bacc

Broader StudyDesigned to develop critical thinking / citizenship skills through: General Studies,

Critical thinking or Citizenship to AS Level.

Enrichment Activities

Community participation (for example community work in

local schools, hospitals, charities); Work-related

learning; Personal development activities eg Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, debating society

etc

Independent Learning

The Extended Project will develop students’ abilities to

manage tasks using their own initiative and

resources.

Recognised, academic study in-depthThe Bacc is built on the solid foundation of students’ main A Level choices.

AQA Bacc

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AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications:Specialised Diplomas

• AQA and City & Guilds working in partnership• Blend of academic and vocational skills • From September 2008:

– Construction and the built environment– Creative and Media– Engineering– Information Technology