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:
Association for Citizenship Teaching
National Centre for Citizenship and the Law (NCCL)
Inclusion: NASEN
Thought of visiting?
The Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green
National Trust Museum of Childhood, Sudbury, Derbyshire
The Lizard peninsula, the most southerly part of the British mainland, is a place apart.
A combination of the mild maritime climate and complex and unique geology has produced an area with a distinctive character, well known for its rare and unusual flora and where the famous call of the Cornish chough is never far away.
The mill dates from the 18th century and includes the frames of an overshot waterwheel.
The ideal location for a stroll in the Wyre Forest along a meandering stream.
Experience the beguiling spirit of this inimitable 17th-century 'Plantation' home, with its walled gardens and parkland, full of tempting waymarked paths. There are ten generations of Lenox-Conyngham family tales to enthrall you, as well as numerous portraits and much furniture to admire and not forgetting Ireland's most-documented ghost: Olivia.
Remains of early 13th-century castle, built beside the River Monnow to command one of the main routes from England.
Charmouth is the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, an ancient coastline of dramatic cliffs, fossils and beautiful scenery. Ideal for a family holiday away from brash amusements and expensive visitor attractions - re-discover traditional holiday pastimes, enjoy the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and look for fossils as well.
Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts garden in the north Cotswolds, a stone’s throw from Stratford-upon-Avon. Created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston its colourful and intricately designed outdoor ‘rooms’ are always full of surprises. It’s a must-see if you’re in the Cotswolds.
Kiftsgate Court Gardens was created in the 1920s and is a beautiful place to take the family with a lot of plants to see and enjoy - perfect for garden lovers with lots of space for the kids to run around.
When you visit the railway you can enjoy a unique train ride through dramatic limestone scenery, discover fossils and wild flowers, learn about the railway and stare at the vintage rolling stock!
Once the stronghold of the turbulent Mortimer family, Wigmore Castle was later dismantled to prevent its use during the Civil War. Now it is among the most remarkable ruins in England, largely buried up to first floor level by earth and fallen masonry. Yet many of its fortifications survive to full height, including parts of the keep on its towering mound.
A lovely little museum dedicated to the history of Oswestry and the surrounding countryside, from B.C. to present day. Run by friendly volunteers, quiz for the kids and free to visit!
Discover the history of Oswestry through a timeline exhibition that maps everything from the formation of rocks to present day.
The High Court of Tynwald is the parliament of the Isle of Man. Tynwald is of Norse origin and over 1,000 years old, and is thus the oldest parliament in the world with an unbroken existence.
The centre is in easy reach of the River Wye, the Brecon Beacons and limestone areas to the south containing some of the most extensive cave systems in Britain and both natural and quarried climbing areas.
This local environment provides an area of outstanding natural beauty, and means we are able to offer courses of an adventurous and challenging nature.
Set on a large natural mound, Launceston Castle dominates the surrounding landscape. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest, its focus is an unusual keep consisting of a 13th-century round tower built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, inside an earlier circular shell-keep.
The extensive and picturesque ruins of Minster Lovell Hall are located in a beautiful rural setting beside the River Windrush. Approached from the north, through the adjacent churchyard, the 15th century site comprises a fine hall, tower and complete dovecote nearby - making this a particularly interesting day out for anyone considering a visit.
No day out in the Yorkshire Dales would be complete without a visit to Middleham Castle. Once the childhood home of Richard III, you can relive the Castle’s illustrious history and unlock the deeds of its great owners.
Although roofless, extensive remains of the fortified palace still survive, making Middleham a fascinating castle to explore.
Great battles, ancient myths, spellbinding tales, pampered princesses, heroic knights. You can find them all here at Warwick Castle.
Journey through the historic estate of Shugborough and experience the nation's best 'upstairs downstairs' experience.
Tamworth Castle is a Norman Motte and Bailey Castle located in the centre of Tamworth surrounded by the Castle Pleasure grounds. The oldest parts of the Castle are believed to date from the 1180s. There are 15 period rooms to explore with many hands-on activities for all ages.
Schools and Groups
Overlooking Portland Harbour in Dorset stands one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540s to protect against French and Spanish invasion.
Today it provides a great day out for visitors and its audio tour, included in the admission price, tells of the castle’s 450 year history and the part it played in the First and Second World Wars.
For 350 years, Coombe Conduit formed part of a system which collected water from nearby springs and channelled it to Hampton Court Palace. One of three such conduits that supplied the palace, the remaining structure represents an intriguing survival of the ingenuous Tudor waterworks system.
A must-see for any visitor to the picturesque market town of Helmsley in the North Yorks Moors National Park.
Discover how the castle evolved over the centuries, from a mighty medieval fortress to a luxurious Tudor mansion, to a Civil War stronghold and a romantic Victorian ruin.
The perfect stop on any trip - if you’re out walking or cycling.
Totnes Fashions and Textiles Museum houses the Devonshire Collection of Period Costume, which contains clothing for men, women and children from the eighteenth century to the twentyfirst century.
A themed exhibition, which is changed annually, is displayed in the most intact Tudor Merchant's House in Totnes.
Come and enjoy Spetchley, one of Britain's best kept secrets! Just three miles east of the beautiful cathedral city of Worcester and surrounded by glorious countryside, is the beautiful and romantic garden of Spetchley Park.
Tamworth Snowdome is a real indoor ski slope welcoming schools and families.
The 170 metre main slope and the two Snow Academy areas (separate 30 metre and 25 metre teaching slopes) offer a wide variety of skiing and snowboarding lessons and sessions.
You can also ice skate or even toboggan or tube!
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.