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
For children from 6 months to 10 years, adventure soft play facility with separate areas for different ages with age appropriate equipment and a secure perimeter.
Activities include baby slides, mid-slides, drop slide and the long wavey slide, ariel runway, soft bricks, rope nets, cargo nets, baby ball pond and larger ball pont, tunnels and plenty of obstacles!
A long distance path giving a circular tour around the county. Along the way are pretty rural churches, castle ruins and other historic features to discover and explore.
One of the very best in indoor play, Eddie Catz is the place to bring your child to play, have a party, take a class or join a workshop or an event! Our fun, safe environment has something for every child to do.
The centre boasts a giant playframe, toddler area, reading and dressing up area, party rooms and a purpose-built sports' pitch.
A state-of-the-art kart circuit featuring fume-free and child-friendly electric go-karts. Featuring catering and party facilities as well as the best-trained staff and safe, responsive and speedy karts, and is open 7 days a week! For over 8s.
Boasting sensationally speedy but child friendly indoor go-karts, Teamworks is perfect for drivers experienced or brand new alike.
Reading Museum Service offers learning experiences that are fun and suitable for every age of student - from the serious student to the youngest child, all levels are catered for. We offer opportunities for both formal and informal learning including the chance to handle real objects.
A superb climbing facility just outside Reading town centre. We cater for children and families from 5 years and up. Our key sessions include Birthday Parties, Kids’ Casual Sessions and our Kids’ progressive Climbing Scheme.
Phoenix Scalextric Circuit is based near Studley Warwickshire and enjoys a beautiful countryside location. The track is 150 feet long with fully computerised race management and awesome scenic accessories. We offer friendly and competitive Scalextric racing in an enjoyable atmosphere with experienced personnel to make your event a very special occasion.
Explore the rich life of Wolverhampton and its people through archives filled with fascinating documents, photographs, maps, recordings, ephemera and more.
Wolverhampton City Archives houses a wealth of materials relating to the history of all areas now within the city of Wolverhampton including Bilston, Bushbury, Penn, Tettenhall and Wednesfield.
At the heart of our cultural learning offer is access to excellence for everyone across all of the WAVE venues.
Delve into the fascinating world of Gloucester's Victorian docks at this museum and meet the people and wildlife of our wonderful waterways. Discover impressive facts about the ingenious engineering of the waterway system and explore home life aboard a narrow boat.
IWM Duxford is Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfield, with a fascinating history that dates back to the First World War. Its story reflects the landmark achievements made in aviation history.
A large Wildlife Haven and habitat creation project and steam engines in the process of restoration.
For children of all ages we have a 140-tonne Danish Pacific 996 steam engine in the process of restoration, RTV-31 the worlds first 100MPH hover train, a large garden railway, an amazing 7 track OO gauge model railway and other smaller interactive model railways to enjoy.
Built by William the Conqueror, Rockingham was a royal fortress for 450 years. Home to the Saunders Watson family. Set in a panoramic location with views over five counties, the Castle has magnificently furnished rooms of several periods, and is surrounded by 18 acres of superbly contrasting gardens including a beautiful Room Garden created by Chelsea Gold Medal Winner Robert Myers.
The museum's extensive and unique collection was mostly assembled by superintendents of the former Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy's Hard. If it hadn't been for their foresight, a large slice of naval history would have been lost.
Do you love donkeys? We most certainly do at Redwings Caldecott!
We have afternoon donkey talks where you can learn all about these adorable equines and the specialist care they require, as well as watch them enjoy some very special treats – yep, you’ve guessed it, ginger biscuits!
Tewkesbury Museum is a community museum protecting and displaying the heritage of the Town.
A visit to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery will give you the opportunity to explore the amazing shoe collection recognised as a collection of national importance. You can also find out about the history of Northampton and see our excellent art and ceramics collection.
Education Programme for Schools
Kirby Hall is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan and 17th century houses earlier owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I.
Although this vast mansion is partly roofless, the walls show the exceptionally rich decoration that proclaims that its successive owners were always in the forefront of new ideas about architecture and design.
Winstanley Hall dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I when it was built by the Winstanleys of Wigan, who had been lords of the manor since at least 1252. It had been the home of the Bankes family since 1595. The last member of the Bankes family left the house in 1984 and the building has since fallen into disrepair.
Tilbury Fort on the Thames estuary has protected London’s seaward approach from the 16th century through to the Second World War.
Henry VIII built the first fort here, and Queen Elizabeth I famously rallied her army nearby to face the threat of the Armada. The present fort is much the best example of its type in England, with its circuit of moats and bastioned outworks.
This sandstone headland, south of Morecambe and north of Heysham port, rises majestically above the sea. See the remains of St Patrick's Chapel, built in the early Medieval period and now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The eight body-shaped, rock-cut graves here are believed to be unique.
The Centre, opened in 1999, forms the focus for activities based on the 8th Century earthwork built by Offa, the King of Mercia. The dyke follows the Welsh English border from the hills above Prestatyn to the Severn Estuary near Chepstow.
Combine an educational day out with a fun-filled trip to Gulliver’s World Theme Park!
Who says learning can’t be fun? We have put together some brilliant education packs that will show you how to create a fantastic educational experience at Gulliver's.
Take the lesson out of the classroom and onto the theme park. We have topics and ideas that will really engage your group.
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.