Citizenship champions
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Merton College
Post-16 Citizenship activity at Merton College
At Merton College citizenship is delivered mainly through weekly group tutorials and is enhanced by wider citizenship activities open to all students outside of class contact time.
Students therefore receive some taught citizenship usually via the tutorial system, although some vocational areas also teach modules of citizenship as part of the course. The content varies depending on the level of group and the area of the college in which they are based. Taught modules of work are devised in conjunction with the aims and objectives laid down in the QCA Guidance. Some examples of taught module topics include:
- Political awareness
- Alcohol awareness
- Sexual awareness
- My College – photo project
- Celebration of difference
- Whose Right? Whose responsibility?
Additionally all students have the opportunity to become involved and actively participate in wider citizenship within the College, examples of which are:
- Elections for the Student Parliament, discussion and preparation of issues to be presented at Student Parliaments.
- Student representation on the Parliament and on the Executive of the Parliament.
- Student representation and consultation on a variety of other college bodies, committees, staff teams, focus groups, working parties etc.
- Peer Mentoring.
- Student support/helpers at parents’ evenings, open days and in-class assistants during induction etc.
- Celebrating Diversity competitions, presentations and charity events
- Action against gun crime
- Consultation and feedback on the Borough’s town planning proposals
- Citizenship enrichment activities e.g. Environmental Club, Millennium Volunteers
Student achievement and participation in both the wider and taught citizenship is recognised by internal citizenship certificates and celebrated at the end of year during the ROA ceremonies held within each School of the College.
Citizenship coordinator's top tips for setting up post-16 citizenship activity:
- Involve representatives from the "whole" college in the planning and development eg youth workers, library, admin, and most importantly students
- Have students help plan and deliver staff development activities
- Use student interest as topics to explore
- Allay staff fears about delivering content they see as outside their expertise and comfort zone by providing good resources, teaching material and staff develoment.
How this organisation could help you:
We are happy to share any resources and give advice and guidance either by phone, email or visits to the centre. For more information see also the Merton College leaflet on post-16 citizenship provision.
Contact information
Name of citizenship coordinator: Liz Cottrell
Citizenship coordinator’s telephone: 020 8408 8671
Citizenship coordinator’s email: lcottrell@merton.ac.uk
Organisation website: www.merton.ac.uk
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