Subject Leader:

Mr S Gunessee

sgunessee@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk

Teaching Staff

Mr J Smith - jsmith4@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk

Ms K Boyce - kboyce@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk   

Subject Overview

GCSE Citizenship is one of the newest additions to Oriel High SchoolÂ’s curriculum. The subject offers a range of opportunities to build knowledge and skills that will support learning and encourage participation in society and an interest in UK and global politics.

The main focus of Citizenship at GCSE is to encourage students to become active and responsible citizens through studying themes that surround law, media, rights and responsibilities, environmental issues and global culture.

Further to the classroom study, students have the opportunity to put their learning into practice through participation in campaigns that expand on the school ethos and reach into local community.

The nature of the course means no prior knowledge of politics is needed, although a healthy interest would go a long way. Also, a motivation to read and take an interest in news articles would be beneficial to students who really want to challenge themselves in and out of the classroom

Curriculum

KS4- GCSE Citizenship

Students will study the Edexcel Citizenship GCSE specification which consists of four units 

Unit One – Y10

Power, politics and the media

Rights and responsibilities

Global community 

Unit Two – Y10

Controlled assessment

Unit Three – Y11

Changing communities, social and cultural identities

Environmental change and sustainable development

Influencing and changing decision in government and society

Unit Four – Y11

Controlled assessment

What Skills Students Develop

Citizenship enables students to:

•  engage with topical citizenship issues and contribute to debates on challenges facing society involving a wide range of political, social and ethical ideas, issues and problems in different contexts (local to global)
• develop and apply understanding of key citizenship concepts (justice, democracy, rights and responsibilities, identities and diversity) to deepen their understanding of society and how communities change over time
• use an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts, opinion and bias, build arguments and make informed judgements
• develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to take action with others, in order to address  citizenship issues in their communities.

How Students Are Assessed

Unit one content is assessed through a one hour exam, where students will receive a grade between A*-U

Unit two content is assessed, under controlled conditions, through a single internally-assessed, externally-moderated assessment consisting of one structured task.

Unit three content is assessed through a one hour and fifteen minute exam, where students will receive a grade between A*-U

Unit four content is assessed, under controlled conditions, through a single internally-assessed, externally-moderated assessment consisting of one structured task.

Internal assessments will happen on a half termly basis and students ability to complete written work is extremely important and must be analytical and evaluative.

Evidence for assessment will be generated through a range of diverse activities including assignment and project work, case studies, role play and oral presentation.