Citizenship

Citizenship

Citizenship Studies is concerned with the kind of society we live in and want to influence and develop. It covers, too, the role of the public and private organisations in the process. School courses help prepare students to become active citizens. The best of them promote students’ personal and social development, and make them more self-confident and responsible, in the classroom and beyond.

All external examination courses emphasise developing awareness of the role of citizens in a variety of contexts.

Just about any educational visit will contribute to the students’ exploration of new experiences and new ideas about being a ‘citizen’, but venues and activities that bring students into contact with other communities, other social contexts and other attitudes will be particularly exciting. Many museums and venues specialise in giving hands-on experiences of what some aspects of life in earlier centuries was actually like. These tend to be attractive to primary school groups.

Secondary groups often visit civic centres and attend local council meetings. Both primary and secondary groups will be welcome at churches, chapels, synagogues, mosques and temple, some of which offer programmes of talks and exhibitions. In cities this is relatively easy to arrange but even in rural communities priests and lay church people are prepared to help schools.

The Citizenship Foundation would be an excellent starting point. It claims to help 80% of secondary schools to nurture citizenship, and sets out to inspire young people to contribute to society. The Association for Citizenship Teaching also provides advice and teaching resources, while the National Centre for Citizenship and the Law delivers law and justice education at national heritage sites.

 

Main organisations:

Citizenship Foundation 

Association for Citizenship Teaching

National Centre for Citizenship and the Law

PSHE Association

Democratic Life

Hansard Society

Inclusion: NASEN

 

Thought of visiting?

The Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green

National Trust Museum of Childhood, Sudbury, Derbyshire

Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh

The London Museum

The National Archives, Kew

Houses of Parliament

Welsh Assembly

Scottish Parliament

Northern Ireland Assembly

 

Although every visit can result in learning outcomes for Citizenship, for a complete list of venues and providers who deliver specialist courses and activities for this subject see below:

Fair Isle

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Located halfway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is one of Britain’s most remote inhabited islands.

It may be small – only three miles long and one-and-a-half miles wide – but there is plenty to see and do. Fair Isle is a crofting community with a thriving traditional crafts industry, where you can see the island’s craftspeople at work boat-building, spinning, weaving and, of course, knitting.

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Carnewas at Bedruthan

Dramatic coastline with views over huge rock stacks
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Carnewas has become one of the most popular destinations on the north Cornish coast because of the spectacular cliff-top view of sea stacks stretching across Bedruthan beach (not Trust-owned).

This piece of coastline, just a few miles along the coast from Padstow, keeps itself hidden as you first enter the car park. However, take a short walk along the well established paths and you will be rewarded with views that are arguably some of the most impressive in Cornwall.

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Carrick-a-Rede

Rocky island connected to the cliffs by a rope bridge
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Suspended almost 100 ft (30 m) above sea level, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen 350 years ago. Today it is a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of thrill-seekers (and birdwatchers!) to the North Coast every year. 

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Harting Down

Dramatic hill-top views and secluded valleys, with abundant wild flowers
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Harting Down nature reserve in West Sussex is one of the largest areas of ancient chalk downland cared for by us. A tapestry of pristine downland blends beautifully with scattered scrub and woodland.

Experience a sense of timelessness where sheep have grazed for thousands of years. When you reach the brow of the hilltops you are greeted by views across the Weald and to the Isle of Wight.

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Claremont Landscape Garden

A garden for all seasons
Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Steeped in nearly 300 years of history, this eighteen-century garden is a green oasis in the heart of Surrey within easy reach of London. Once a Dukes’ retreat and a playground for princesses, Claremont has always been somewhere to escape everyday life and enjoy simple pleasures with family and friends.

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Hydon's Ball and Heath

Memorial to Octavia Hill overlooking the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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Hydon's Ball is one of our earliest acquisitions and is a memorial to one of our co-founders, Octavia Hill, who died in 1912. It’s one of the highest points in Surrey and the steep, wooded, south-facing slope commands magnificent views across the surrounding countryside towards the Sussex border.

Enjoy lovely walks across the peaceful heath and woodland, which is a wonderful mix of many trees including oaks and chestnuts, with a surprise of non-native shrubs planted by the British garden designer, writer, and artist, Gertrude Jekyll.

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Almondell & Calderwood Country Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
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Almondell & Calderwood Country Park is tucked out of sight in the valley of the River Almond and stretching for 1.5 miles between Broxburn and East Calder, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park is probably the best kept secret in West Lothian!

Based around two adjoining estates (Almondell at 97 acres and Calderwood at 130 acres) and with a history going back 340 million years to the time of the Carboniferous swamps, this area has much to offer its visitors.

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Hawksmoor

Discover Staffordshire's secret woodlands
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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In the beautiful Churnet valley sits Hawksmoor. The ancient woodland is an excellent place to spot green woodpeckers, spotted flycatchers and ravens. The wild flowers and archaeology of Gibriddingt Wood are so special that they have attracted artists and photographers for many years.

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Ide Hill

A great place for a picnic. Enjoy impressive views of The Weald
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Ide Hill is 33.5 acres of semi-natural woodland that lies on the side of the Greensand Ridge. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its abundant wildlife.

The area suffered very badly in the 1987 storm, losing over 70 percent of its tree cover, but has regenerated well, and has abundant wildlife and a number of small circular walks, which allow you to see the wildlife and amazing views.

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Raleigh Park

Venue Type: 
Parks and Gardens
Overall Rating: 
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Raleigh Park is 27 sloping acres, outside the city boundaries between Botley and North Hinksey. It has recently been accredited with Local Wildlife Site.

The land was formerly part of the estates of the Harcourt family. The land was sold in 1924 to Raymond Ffennell, then owner of Wytham Abbey, who gave it to the City of Oxford for use as a park. It was named in honour of Professor Sir Walter Raleigh, who lived nearby on Harcourt Hill and died in 1922.

Park features

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