Citizenship opportunities within 14-19 developments
Citizenship is a high priority for the
government and 14–19 programmes offer
major opportunities for learning through
citizenship and for citizenship. But
maximising these opportunities depends
on developing and sharing understanding
of citizenship and effective practice –
how citizenship concepts, processes,
skills and knowledge can be developed
and enhance learning in the various
initiatives. Professional development
will be crucial.
The White Paper, 14–19 Education and Skills
(DfES, February 2005), sets out the government’s
14–19 reform agenda and highlighted the importance
of citizenship:
'... we need to be confident that everyone leaving
education is equipped to be an informed,
responsible, active citizen. In an ever more complex,
interdependent world, where an engaged population
is crucial to the health of our society, we continue to
put citizenship at its heart too...’ (3.17 DfES 2005)
Citizenship encourages young people to express
their views and participate in decision making: to ‘have a voice’ and become involved in developing
personalised learning and young people’s services.
Citizenship and 14-19 developments: quick guides
A series of expert seminars were held to inform the writing of some of the quick guides to 14-19 developments below.
1. Overview of 14–19 developments
2. Personalisation, learner voice and citizenship
3. Building on key stage 4 citizenship
4. Citizenship and Every Child Matters
5. New citizenship qualifications
6. Citizenship through Extended Projects
7. Key skills and functional skills through citizenship
8. Citizenship and personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS)
9. Citizenship through Entry level programmes
10. Citizenship, social enterprise and Diplomas
11.
Citizenship and employability
12.
Citizenship and community cohesion
Back to top
Examples of 14–19 developments of particular relevance to citizenship
14–19 Diplomas
The diploma is a new programme covering a range of generic and sector-specific skills in which there are many opportunities for citizenship learning. There are five lines of learning being piloted from September 2008: Construction and the Built Environment; Engineering; Society, Health and Development; Creative and Media; and IT.
The next five lines to be piloted from September 2009 are: Land-based and Environmental; Manufacturing & Product Design; Hair & Beauty Studies; Business Administration & Finance; Hospitality & Catering. The final four lines to be piloted from September 2010 are: Public Services; Sport & Leisure; Retail; Travel & Tourism.
There will be an entitlement for every young person to pursue any one Diploma in 2013. Specifications for Principal Learning and projects at Foundation, Higher and Advanced levels are available published for first five lines.
Back to top
Revised secondary curriculum
All new programmes of study (for teaching from
September 2008) are now structured in a common
format. The headings include: curriculum aims; the
importance of the subject; key concepts (for
citizenship – democracy and justice, rights and
responsibilities, identities and diversity: living together
in the UK); key processes (for citizenship – critical
thinking and enquiry; advocacy and representation;
taking informed and responsible action); range and
content and curriculum opportunities.
Case studies on the QCA website illustrate how different schools have interpreted the curriculum within the context of their own setting and to meet the needs of their learners. They show learners and teachers trying out ideas and sharing their experiences and insights. All the schools involved organised their own learning activities and undertook appropriate checks to meet health and safety requirements. Over time, more case studies and films will be added to help share the excitement and the potential of the curriculum.
QCA is also developing curriculum programmes
using the same format for the 14–19 Diplomas.
These programmes include references to
citizenship opportunities.
Back to top
New citizenship qualifications
In addition to the existing short course, a full GCSE in
Citizenship Studies has been developed to reflect the
revised key stage 4 programme of study. There is also a new GCE (AS and A2) in Citizenship Studies.
Assessment is by written exam papers, but for unit 2,
candidates must keep and bring to the exam a
completed active citizenship profile to use for analysis
and evaluation of own evidence and reflection in
relation to set questions. See GCE specification available from AQA.
Back to top
Functional skills
Diploma consortia have nominated up to six centres
to be involved in the piloting of functional English,
functional maths and functional ICT. Other centres will
also be involved.
Personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS)
QCA has developed a single framework for all 11–19
learners comprising six skill groups: independent
enquirers; creative thinkers; reflective learners; team
workers; self managers; effective participators
(particularly relevant to citizenship).
National Pilot started September 2007.
View the framework.
See also research on PLTS.
In addition to our quick guide above you may also be interested in Getting ahead with PLTS – Lessons from the wider key skills
Back to top
Extended Project
Level 3 is currently being piloted (2006–2008) by
Edexcel and AQA, with City & Guilds. The pilot
specifications have four assessment objectives:
manage; use resources; develop and realise;
review. Project types include dissertation, field study/investigation, performance and artefact.
Any type can include citizenship.
Projects at levels 1 and 2 are being piloted during
2007 for the first exam in 2009. These will also be
free-standing qualifications and a compulsory part of
the Diplomas. As for level 3, there are the same four
assessment objectives.
See also A case for action? Skills for active citizenship research.
Foundation Learning Tier
The development work of QCA and the LSC includes:
principles and guidance for the design of learning
programmes; programme content which is creditbased
units and qualifications at Entry Level and
Level 1; introduction of progression pathways to
Level 2; and guidance to support implementation.
Provision will include vocational/subject-based
learning, key and basic skills, and personal and social
development, all of which offer opportunities for
citizenship learning and achievement.
Preparation for implementation begins in September
2007; full implementation by 2010.
Professional development
A directory of information on workforce support
across 11–19 school and FE reforms is available
online from DCSF 14-19 website.
Links to relevant articles from Citizenship News
View, download or print articles which relate to 14-19 developments.
Back to top