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Gosforth High School
Post-16 Citizenship activity at Gosforth High School
At Gosforth High School Post 16 Citizenship is embedded in three distinct but interconnected areas. Firstly, the compulsory General Studies programme provides clear citizenship input both in terms of topic content, handling contemporary issues and debates, and also in terms of approach, fostering skills of enquiry, evaluation and communication. The Student Union is the vibrant elected representative student body for post 16 students at Gosforth High. Each tutor group elects two representatives and the SU meets weekly to discuss all issues relating to post-16 students. These discussions are wide ranging and are led by students, for students. Outside agencies and senior managers often work with the SU in discussion and action. This provides accountability and so acts as quality assurance. The third component of the citizenship provision is the creation of ad hoc working groups. These manage specific citizenship projects. They are usually the product of Students Union discussion and report back at SU meetings (though membership of these groups is much wider than elected SU representatives). Representatives take their responsibilities seriously and the SU officers run an informal mentoring system that allows Year 13 officers to support Year 12 officers.
The provision at GHS is an entitlement for all Level 3 learners through General Studies. All students are represented at the SU and have the opportunity to work within a sub-committee action group. The actions of the working groups or sub-committees allow students to pursue their own passions and concerns to ensure that the work is genuinely student led. Committed staff members seek opportunities to engage with the SU. This work is supported by the SU has developed a real sense of its own mission, identity and status to take initiatives to benefit the student body and wider community.
Citizenship coordinator's top tips for setting up post-16 citizenship activity:
- Spend time fostering the Student Council / Union's sense of importance and identity. Ensure managers and students respect the role of the SU. Meet regularly and, if possible, with some refreshment!
- Help students to build their knowledge of contemporary issues through lessons and investing in library resources identified by students. Students need to be informed as well as keen and passionate. The better the information they have, the more focused their work can be.
- Encourage working parties organising events or projects to be accountable to the student body as a whole. The critical feedback from the SU can be excellent. Peer led assessment for learning and having to answer questions from their peers sharpens the focus of the students.
- Don't be rigid about what form actions have to take. Students can and should find the best way to achieve their goals, whether this is through debating groups, magazines, day events, awareness campaigns, guest speakers. The list is endless and giving them ownership is vital.
- Work with outside agencies where possible. This really broadens students perspectives and is great preparation for life beyond school.
How this organisation could help you:
We are proud of our post-16 citizenship work and would be happy to welcome visitors to discuss our programme with staff or students. By arrangement, it may be possible to see a citizenship based General Studies lesson or Student Union meeting. We are happy to discuss frankly the challenges we have identified and discuss strategies with those seeking to build citizenship into their post 16 provision. In principle we are keen to contribute to regionwide citizenship events and would be interested to discuss any such possibilities with others in the North East.
Contact information
Name of citizenship coordinator: Keith Rodgers
Citizenship coordinator’s telephone: 0191 2851000
Citizenship coordinator’s email: keith.rodgers@gosforthhigh.newcastle.sch.uk
Organisation website:www.gosforthhigh.newcastle.sch.uk
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