Post-16 citizenship CPD certificate
Access keys Skip navigation
It is widely recognised that a key success factor for post-16 citizenship and capacity building for the future is high quality staff development and training. The accreditation of such activities can add considerably to their value, both for individual staff members and their organisations.
Following successful completion of the CPD certificate for post-16 citizenship in 2007-8, the course will be offered again for staff in England, to run from
early October 2008 to the end of March 2009. The costs of the certificate are fully covered by the Post-16 Citizenship Support Programme.
Who the course is for
This certificate course is suitable for staff across all the post-16 education and training settings – colleges, school sixth forms, work-based learning providers and youth and community groups - who are involved in some way in the delivery or management of citizenship activities or programmes. The normal expectation is that participants will have appropriate professional qualifications (for example a PGCE or equivalent) – or be able to demonstrate their suitability in other ways.
Course content
The course will consider a wide range of issues in post-16 citizenship, including policy and developments at a national level, but will have a particular focus on the participant’s own experience and practice, and the quality of citizenship provision within their organisation. In the spirit of effective citizenship the course will be active, topical and thought provoking – with as much opportunity as possible for debate and collaborative work.
Modes of study
The operation of the course will be mainly online through a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This will give access to study guidance and resources, one-to-one tutorial support, the facility for course members to communicate with each other and the means to submit assignments and receive feedback. All participants will need access to a computer capable of downloading course documents and running the VLE. In addition there will be two one day meetings for the course group as a whole. The first will be an induction event in the first week of the course (early October) and the second will take place early in December.
Time commitment
Over a six month period you will need to make a regular commitment to the course and find an overall total of approximately 60 hours for study and set tasks.
Assessment and certification
Assessment will be through a portfolio of assignments undertaken throughout the course. The certificate is validated at Level 4 through a partnership with the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick. The certificate stands as a professional qualification in its own right – the first in the country dedicated to CPD for post-16 citizenship. However, the certificate also carries 30 credit accumulation transfer (CATS) points in relation to undergraduate programmes in educational studies at other British universities.
Comments from previous participants
The structure and units were easy to follow and understand
The assignments raised my awareness of citizenship issues and identify areas for improvement in my organisation
Tutor support was excellent and suggestions have pointed me in direction I wouldn’t ordinarily have considered
The tutor respected my experience but also helped me to grow my knowledge by using my experience
How to apply
Applications have now closed for the course starting in October 2008. Register to join our community www.post16citizenship.org/register to receive updates about further CPD certificate opportunities and information on free training events and curriculum materials from the Post-16 Citizenship Support Programme.
The post-16 citizenship CPD certificate course virtual learning environment (VLE) is available to enrolled course participants only. Please do not attempt to login if you are not enrolled on the course.
Back to top