Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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Q: What support do you offer for organisations wanting to introduce post-16 citizenship activity?
A: The Learning and Skills Network delivers the Post-16 Citizenship Support Programme on behalf of the Quality Improvement Agency. The central aim of the programme is to extend the benefits of post-16 citizenship to learners in all post-16 education and training settings. Services include training events, teaching and learning resources, staff development tools, a distance learning CPD certificate and a dedicated website and a regular programme magazine. The programme website
www.post16citizenship.org is the best starting point to see the full range of services offered. The programme offers support for post-16 citizenship free of charge to staff in England who are involved or might become involved in the delivery or management of post-16 citizenship provision in a wide range of settings including:
• Work-based learning providers
• Colleges
• Youth and community groups
• School sixth forms
• Young offender institutions and projects
• Connexions services
• Participation projects
Q: What resources are available to support post-16 citizenship?
A: The programme offers a wide range of free publications including: Teaching and learning materials on key themes such as diversity, handling controversial issues, citizenship through music/art/photography/video production, skills for running citizenship events, citizenship simulations, discussion and debating skills, active citizenship research, volunteering and work, social enterprise and citizenship. There are also materials to support the delivery of a range of specific citizenship topics such as local democracy and the politics of food as well as a new packs on diversity and community cohesion, offender learning, ESOL, the new diplomas and sustainability. See
www.post16citizenship.org/publications Q: What staff development tools are available to help us develop post-16 citizenship?
A: Staff development materials include guidance for leaders and coordinators, trainee teachers and staff new to citizenship. We also offer staff development tools and interactive CD-roms, DVDs and videos for use in training staff or for self-study. Guides to a variety of approaches to post-16 citizenship such as through tutorials, qualifications, single events, learner voice, community action and research projects are also available. We also offer guides tailored to specific post-16 settings including colleges, youth and community groups, school sixth forms and work-based learning. See
www.post16citizenship.org/publicationsQ: How does citizenship fit in with 14-19 curriculum developments?
A: We offer a range of briefing papers which set out the wider picture of opportunities for citizenship learning in the 14-19 curriculum such as personalisation, learner voice and citizenship, building on key stage 4 citizenship, Every Child Matters, Key Skills and Functional Skills, Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills, Skills for Life, extended projects, new citizenship qualifications, enterprise and diplomas. See
www.post16citizenship.org/publicationsQ: How can I keep up to date with what’s happening with post-16 citizenship?
A:
Citizenship News, the programme magazine, will keep practitioners up to date with the latest developments in citizenship education including 14-19 developments, examples of good practice and the latest support available from the programme. See
http://www.post16citizenship.org/magazine. You can also register as a community member to ensure you receive the latest updates in our e-bulletin and invitations to free training events. Register at
www.post16citizenship.org/register Q: What training is available for me to learn more about post-16 citizenship?
A: Free training events offered throughout England offer practical examples, resources, networking opportunities and expert training on specific citizenship themes and provide regional updates and reliable information on policy developments relevant to post-16 citizenship. To see the latest events on offer visit: www.post16citizenship.org/events. Continuing Professional Development certification is also available free of charge from the programme, accredited by the University of Warwick. The course is provided mainly through on-line distance learning and considers a wide range of issues in post-16 citizenship, including policy and developments at a national level, but with a particular focus on the participant’s own experience and practice, and the quality of citizenship provision within their organisation. For further information visit www.post16citizenship.org/about/Post-16citizenshipCPDcertificate.aspx
Q: What is citizenship?
A: Citizenship education gives young people the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in society at local, national and international levels. It helps them to become informed, thoughtful and responsible citizens who are aware of their rights and duties. It promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, making them more self-confident and responsible, both in their educational and training institutions and beyond. It encourages young people to play an active part in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods, communities and the wider world. It also teaches them about our economy, and democratic institutions and values; encourages respect for different national, religious and ethnic identities, and develops pupils ability to reflect on issues and take part in discussions.
Q: How can I deliver citizenship?
A: Post-16 citizenship activities include representative structures for learners, young people-led campaigns and events, research projects and community involvement. These activities may stand alone or form part of other courses studied and may or may not lead to a formal citizenship qualification. For further information see our resource
Getting started with post-16 citizenship available from
www.post16citizenship.org/publications and see also
Play your part: post-16 citizenship at
http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_4852.aspx (the official QCA guidance).
Q: Is there a framework for post-16 citizenship?
A: Yes. The QCA Guidance
Play your part: post-16 citizenship is available from
http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_4852.aspx is now the crucial point of reference in understanding the nature of citizenship post-16. It refers to three essential opportunities that citizenship education should provide – investigation of social and political issues, follow-up action as appropriate, and reflection on learning – and outlines a range of broad learning objectives.
Q: Is post-16 citizenship compulsory?
A: No. At present there is no funded entitlement for post-16 citizenship but recent policy documents (see www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/14-19educationandskills/) explicitly recognise the importance of developing young people as active citizens. Developments in the 14–19 curriculum (for example Diplomas, extended project and the new A level in Citizenship studies) as well as strong emphasis on organisations to promote community cohesion for all learners, are reinforcing the importance of citizenship learning. For more details of how citizenship learning can support 14-19 developments see our 12 ‘Quick Guides’ including the Overview Guide at www.lsneducation.org.uk/user/order.aspx?code=072906
Q: What are the benefits of post-16 citizenship activities for learners?
Q: Should post-16 citizenship activities be assessed?
A: The short answer is a strong yes! However, for most this doesn’t mean formal testing or exams. We are interested rather in assessment for citizenship learning–with supporting learners and learning. As with any area of learning it is really important that staff and young people themselves have a sense of how their citizenship knowledge, understanding and skills are developing. This is essential for the effective planning of future learning. It also gives learners recognition of their achievements and can boost confidence and self esteem. Ideally, young people should be involved in the assessment process from the start of any activity. For practical ideas on assessing citizenship learning see
www.post16citizenship.org/assessment/ and QCA’s staff development packaging on assessing and recognising post-16 citizenship achievements:
www.qca.org.uk/libraryAssets/media/QCA-05-1508_post-16_citizenship.pdf Q: Are qualifications available for post-16 citizenship?
A: Yes. For details of GCSE and GCE options as well as other types of qualifications and opportunities for accrediting citizenship learning in a variety settings see
www.post16citizenship/assessment Q: What steps are being taken to get effective progression between pre- and post-16 citizenship?
A: The QCA Post-16 Curriculum Guidance deliberately builds on that already in place for citizenship as a statutory subject at key stages 3 and 4. Monitoring and supporting 14–19 progression in citizenship is also one of the aims for the extension phase of the programme. Staff training and development (both within schools and between schools and post-16 institutions) will help. You can use this document as a base-lining activity:
http://www.post16citizenship.org/files/01_reflectionActivity.doc