The Only Specification GCE Citizenship The Only Specification

New A Levels from 2008 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper Reduce the Assessment Burden From 6 units to 4 units: 2 at AS and 2 at A2 Introduce Stretch and Challenge New A* Grade Subject Criteria Defines the framework of content for specifications and the assessment objectives Explains the background to the development of the new A levels

Why Citizenship? “Citizenship education … is not just knowledge of citizenship and civil society; it also implies developing values, skills and understanding.” the Crick report, September 1998 “Post-16, citizenship takes critical democracy and active participation a step further. Post-16 citizenship should give young people opportunities to identify, investigate and think critically about citizenship issues, problems or events of concern to them.” Towards Consensus, Ofsted, September 2006 “Citizenship education … does have at its heart a commitment to enabling young people to participate fully in a democracy, and ultimately, securing a cohesive and inclusive society” Citizenship Education, House of Commons Education and Skills Committee, February 2007

What is Citizenship about? Identity: What is a citizen? Are we all equal? Democracy: politics at local, national and global level Justice: How does law work in practice? Power: How are decisions made? Participation in the community: Local to Global How individuals and groups can make a difference

The dynamics of GCE Citizenship Develops and expands upon students’ Key Stage 4 knowledge base The citizen as both an individual and a member of the community is at the heart of the AS modules The GCE AS as a standalone qualification should enable students to gain more than UCAS points Reasons to offer GCE Citizenship

The dynamics of GCE Citizenship Active Citizenship and the development of related skills is embedded within the AS The A2 demands higher order skills in both depth and range of knowledge expected and in relation to the application of Active Citizenship Skills via researching contemporary Case Studies

Why GCE Citizenship? Allows for clear progression from the GCSE Short Course, and GCSE Full Course once available (September 2009) Can plan a coherent 11-18 citizenship framework supported by a qualification structure Offers the curriculum opportunity to develop students’ understanding of contemporary society and the role played by individuals and groups

Why GCE Citizenship? Enables students to play their part, helps develop the Learner’s Voice and, via the emphasis on active citizenship, develops more confident learners

Skills Developed Planning, negotiating, decision making Researching, analysing and evaluating information Recognising views and opinions and being able to identify bias Developing arguments and conclusions Working with others and problem solving

AQA and Citizenship AS Social Science: Citizenship piloted 2001 AS Social Science: Citizenship piloted 2002 Citizenship becomes a Statutory National Curriculum Subject AS Social Science: Citizenship launched 2003 GCSE Citizenship Studies (Short Course) launched 2006 Extended Project pilot AQA’s A Level Citizenship Studies available 2008 First Specialised Diplomas available AQA’s pedigree to develop this course 2009 GCSE Citizenship Studies (Full Course) available

Underlying Principles 3 stages of Citizenship development The Informed Citizen The Participating Citizen The Active Citizen AQA’s thinking behind the development of the specification

Qualifications across the Key Stages Level1/2 AQA Unit Award Scheme Level 2 GCSE Short Course Level 2 GCSE Full Course (September 2009) Level 3 GCE AS Social Science: Citizenship Level 3 GCE AS (September 2008) Level 3 GCE A2 (September 2008) Level 3 Extended Project AQA Bacc Specialised Diploma 14-19

AS at a Glance Unit Weighting Title Content 1 2 1h 15m 20% Identity, Rights and Responsibilities Identity 1 compulsory question + 1 mini essay (from 2) Rights & Responsibilities 2 1h 30m 30% Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation Making a Difference Active Citizenship 1 structured question based on active citizenship participation

A2 at a Glance Unit Weighting Title Content 3 1h 30m 4 25% Power and Justice Crime, Justice & Punishment 1 question from a choice of 3 Power, Politics & Participation 4 1h 30m Global Issues and Making a Difference Global Citizenship Active Citizenship 1 from 2 based on topics released in advance

AS Unit 1: Identity, Rights and Responsibilities What does it mean to be British? What is a Citizen and perceptions of being ‘British’ How socially diverse is Britain? Are we all equal citizens? Prejudice, discrimination and disadvantage How can discrimination and disadvantage be reduced?

AS Unit 1: Identity, Rights and Responsibilities What are my rights and responsibilities? What are rights? What rights do I have? How are my rights protected and supported? The Legal Framework – protecting the citizen How do the courts protect my rights?

AS Unit 2: Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation Making a Difference Who can make a difference? Who holds power in the UK? How can I make a difference? Playing your part: how the citizen can get involved and make a difference Citizenship in Action: Citizens working together to bring about change

AS Unit 2: Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation Active Citizenship Skills and Participation Becoming an Informed Citizen The Participating Citizen Being an Active Citizen The Active Citizenship Profile

A2 Unit 3: Power and Justice Crime, Justice and Punishment What is Crime? The nature of crime and the role of the police The Crown Prosecution Service and the trial process What is Justice? Who makes decisions: Judges, Magistrates and Juries Sentencing

A2 Unit 3: Power and Justice Politics, Power and Participation Who speaks on our behalf? Electing representatives, elections and accountability The citizen’s relationship to those elected How is the UK governed? The power and influence of government Interdependence and the global village

A2 Unit 4: Global Issues and Making a Difference Global Citizenship Universal Human Rights Universal rights Human rights abuse Global Issues Conflict and its resolution Trade and environmental issues Active Citizenship Individuals and groups that make a difference Studied through pre-released topics

Active Citizenship For discussion: possible activities? Participation in class debate exercising knowledge and understanding about becoming informed citizens, with pupils making responsible suggestions Written and other class and home work arising from work in citizenship taken to sensible conclusions and containing responsible suggestions Where appropriate, recommendations, delivered in a responsible way to the management of the school, local authorities and other bodies, on policies and practice (for example, via the school council) Where appropriate, recommendations, delivered responsibly, to the public at large in school publications and on school internet sites Presenting a case or concern to others Conducting a consultation, vote or election Organising a meeting, event or debate Reviewing a school policy; contributing to community policies Lobby and campaigning via a website, podcast or display Setting up an action group or network; training others in democratic skills

AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: Unit Award Scheme Provides formal recognition of students’ learning in short units of work For students of any ability and any age Units can be written for your own use or you can select from the citizenship units already available There are a number of citizenship units available on the AQA website

AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: GCSE Short Course Over 73,000 candidates in 2007 The course meets the requirements of the KS4 Programme of Study Assessment Written paper 60% Coursework 40% - Active Citizenship element Full Course available September 2009 73142 candidates this summer

AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: Extended Project Level 3 Qualification developed with City & Guilds In-depth project covering a range of knowledge, skills and processes Available nationally from 2008 Active Citizenship can form part of the Extended Project Level 1 and Level 2 being piloted now The Extended Project is a project chosen by an individual learner, requiring the learner to show his or her ability to plan, deliver and present a piece of work at Level 3. It offers learners an opportunity to produce an extended piece of work either in an area that they are studying or in which they have a particular interest. It will require up to 120 guided learning hours and will attract UCAS points. It offers students a free project choice, so they can explore in depth an aspect of a subject they are studying, or a topic in which they have a personal interest. The topic for the project is chosen by the student and agreed by the student's teacher, who then acts as his or her supervisor. The student has to show that they can plan, deliver and present an extended piece of work at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework. Extended Projects are being developed at Level 1 and 2 and are being piloted now. Further details and the application from are on the AQA website

AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: AQA Bacc Broader Study Designed to develop critical thinking / citizenship skills through: General Studies, Critical thinking or Citizenship to AS Level. Enrichment Activities Community participation (for example community work in local schools, hospitals, charities); Work-related learning; Personal development activities eg Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, debating society etc Independent Learning The Extended Project will develop students’ abilities to manage tasks using their own initiative and resources. Recognised, academic study in-depth The Bacc is built on the solid foundation of students’ main A Level choices. AQA Bacc What does a student need to do to achieve an AQA Bacc? Students will need to: • study at least 3 A Levels • study a further ‘breadth’ subject to at least AS - either General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship • complete an Extended Project • participate in ‘Enrichment’ activities When are the first awards made? The first AQA Bacc has been undertaken by students at Farnborough Sixth Form College with awards being made in Summer 2007. This is to be followed by 50 centres that will pilot the AQA Bacc and receive awards in Summer 2008 and 2009. The AQA Bacc will be available nationally from Autumn 2008. What makes the AQA Bacc stand out from other Baccalaureate qualifications? The International Baccalaureate (IB) requires particular subjects to be studied - all of which must be completed. There is less restriction in the AQA Bacc; the component GCEs have a value in their own right and the overall award is recognition of much wider achievement. The Welsh Bac has key skills at its compulsory core with A Levels as optional studies. What has the AQA Bacc in common with other ‘baccalaureates’? The AQA Bacc has similar ideals to the IB and the Welsh Bac in developing independent research skills and community participation or work related learning through wider ‘enrichment’ activities. Is there a grading scheme? There are three levels of AQA Bacc - an AQA Bacc an AQA Bacc with Merit an AQA Bacc with Distinction.

AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: Specialised Diplomas AQA and City & Guilds working in partnership Blend of academic and vocational skills From September 2008: Construction and the built environment Creative and Media Engineering Information Technology Launching in September 2008, Diplomas have been developed to increase the employability of 14 - 19 year old students by: Developing the specific workplace skills that employers are looking for Improving key generic skills like numeracy, literacy, communication and ICT Preparing them for the world of work through relevant placements and team projects Opens up choices for young people by offering different ways of learning and a route into higher education or employment Diplomas are a blend of academic and vocational skills We will be providing all 14 lines of learning and the first lines on offer from September 2008 are: Construction and Built Environment Creative and Media Engineering Information Technology