Aims – Arthur Mellows Village College follows the Department for Education’s guidance for a citizenship curriculum which aims to ensure that all students:

Acquire a sound knowledge and understanding of how the United Kingdom is governed, its political system and how citizens participate actively in its democratic systems of government

Develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the role of law and the justice system in our society and how laws are shaped and enforced

Develop an interest in, and commitment to, participation in volunteering as well as other forms of responsible activity, that they will take with them into adulthood.

Are equipped with the skills to think critically and debate political questions, to enable them to manage their money on a day-to-day basis, and plan for future financial needs

At Arthur Mellows our curriculum is broad and balanced, complies with legislation and provides a wide range of subjects which prepares our students with the necessary skills to become well-rounded citizens that are able to positively affect our society.

Students in Key Stage 3 receive one Citizenship lesson each fortnight. The Key Stage 4 programme is delivered through collapsed days as well as weekly themes throughout form time. Our Citizenship lessons are supported by a comprehensive Life Skills programme as well as weekly assemblies that help develop our students in terms of their sense of agency in their world.

Year 7

What is citizenship

New School Rules

Human rights

How can we make a difference as citizens?

Rights of a child

Animal Welfare

Conflicts

Freedom of speech

British Values

Team building

Environment

Media

Racism

Stereotypes and Prejudice toward Disability.

War on plastic

Family Court

How to vote in an election

Local and national government.

Year 8

Patriotism

Diversity

National Anthem

National Culture

What does it mean to be British?

Racism

Refugees

Migrants

Fairtrade

Budgeting and Finance

Local Heritage – school

Local Heritage – Peterborough

National Heritage

New towns

New housing

Greenbelt

Conflict

Rules of War

Year 9

Democracy

Local Government

MP’s

Elections

Parliament

Make a manifesto

Morals

Crime and punishment

Death penalty

Capital punishment

Role of police

Homelessness

Running away

Charity and NGO’s

Foodbanks

Role of social worker

Role of community Nurse

Organ donation

Blood donation

Citizenship: Key Stage 4 Programme Outline

Our programme is designed to meet the 3 challenges below:

Teaching should build on the Key Stage 3 programme of study to deepen pupils’ understanding of democracy, government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Pupils should develop their skills to be able to use a range of research strategies, weigh up evidence, make persuasive arguments and substantiate their conclusions.

Pupils should experience and evaluate different ways that citizens can act together to solve problems and contribute to society.

Pupils are taught the following nine themes through our collapsed days and through our programme of weekly themes during form time:

Parliamentary Democracy

Parliamentary democracy and the key elements of the constitution of the United Kingdom, including the power of government, the role of citizens and Parliament in holding those in power to account, and the different roles of the executive, legislature and judiciary and a free press.

Different electoral systems

The different electoral systems used in and beyond the United Kingdom and actions citizens can take in democratic and electoral processes to influence decisions locally, nationally and beyond

Beyond the United Kingdom

Other systems and forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, beyond the United Kingdom

Different forms of governance in the UK and the wider world

Local, regional and international governance and the United Kingdom’s relations with the rest of Europe, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the wider world.

Human rights and international law

The legal system in the UK

The legal system in the UK, different sources of law and how the law helps society deal with complex problems

Diversity, respect and understanding

Diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding

Active Citizenship

The different ways in which a citizen can contribute to the improvement of their community, to include the opportunity to participate actively in community volunteering, as well as other forms of responsible activity.

Managing Money

Income and expenditure, credit and debt, insurance, savings and pensions, financial products and services, and how public money is raised and spent.

The two collapsed days for Key Stage 4 are as follows:

Year 10 - Democracy Day

Year 11 – The Law and Money

Citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4: Promoting British Values

The Citizenship Programme at Arthur Mellows Village College aims to prepare students for life in Modern Britain. A key focus for this programme is to help develop an awareness of and engagement in the four key British Values. The tables demonstrate where these values are explicitly addressed.