Citizenship Education at Spring Hill High School helps to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to become informed and active citizens of the UK and promotes positive engagement in the political process. The scheme of learning is centred around investigation of current and topical affairs and fosters students’ natural curiosity and awareness of the key British values, the operation of democracy and how individuals may have their voice heard and make a difference locally and nationally.
The curriculum aims to assist learners to develop a commitment to participation in volunteering and other forms of responsible action that they may take into adulthood. It also aims to ensure that all learners become politically astute and able to consider political, social, economic and environmental issues, debate and make informed arguments clearly and coherently in a range of contexts.
They will also gain the ability to recognise bias, critically evaluate arguments, weigh evidence and look for alternative interpretations and sources of evidence, all of which are essential skills in the ‘age of information’ and are valued by higher education providers and employers.
Citizenship studies investigates how the citizen is enabled by society to play a full and active part and how citizens are empowered to effect change within society. Citizenship understanding develops through the knowledge of how a society operates and functions and its underlying values. The overarching theme of this specification is ‘How citizens can try to make a difference’. This aim is supported by three content themes, and a campaign or investigation component:
Opportunities are provided for learners to engage in enrichment activities and experiences outside the classroom. After completing case study investigations of voluntary organisations and pressure groups and reflecting critically on what constitutes successful active citizenship in a modern context, learners can embark on a campaign of their own to raise funds or awareness to effect change in their local, national or global community on an issue close to their hearts. Previously this has constituted engagement with charities and other organisations and advocating for change to people in positions of power. In 2016, GCSE students presented a case for mounting a campaign to their local MP in school, arguing on issues such as welfare state and promoting tolerance and the benefits of multicultural society in the wake of the Paris attacks. The department works with Oxfam Education, who assist students in planning and orchestrating their campaigns and provide the potential for careers stemming from volunteering activities.
- Theme 1- Life in Modern Britain
This theme looks at the make-up and dynamics of contemporary society, what it means to be British, as well as the role of the media and the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) role on the world stage - Theme 2- Rights and Responsibilities
This theme looks at the nature of laws, rights and responsibilities within the UK and has a global aspect due to the nature of international laws, treaties and agreements by which the UK abides - Theme 3- Politics and Participation
This theme aims to give the student, through an understanding of the political process, the knowledge and skills necessary to understand how to resolve issues, bring about change, and how the empowered citizen is at the heart of our society - Theme 4- Active Citizenship Investigation
