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
Lavington Common is a rare survivor of an open landscape that once stretched across the Weald. Its sandy soil leads up to the chalk escarpment on the South Downs, creating this renowned lowland heath, rich in lichens and bryophytes (mosses and liverworts).
Heathers flourish here providing shelter and breeding grounds for reptiles and heathland insects such as the Green Tiger Beetle.
For its sheer diversity of landscape, this relatively small stretch of Cornwall's north coast is hard to beat. Only a stone's throw from the popular seaside resort of Newquay, Holywell to Crantock offers you a haven of beaches, common land and coastline to explore.
Exposed rocky headlands sit alongside spectacular sandy beaches, perfect for surfing or making sandcastles.
Cole End Park is one of four of North Warwickshire's green spaces dedicated as Local Nature Reserves.
Cole End Park LNR is situated within the larger Cole End Park, to the south of the River which runs through the park.
Discover the rainforest's wonders as you stroll between tropical trees and plants, among free roaming butterflies and birds. An outdoor play area allows kids to let off steam, while adults can relax on the sun terrace with a cappuccino. All weather attraction with on site parking, cafe and shop.
A registered common, the last fragment of a much larger area of open land that existed some hundreds of years ago.
We look forward to welcoming you in the spring when the garden comes to life again. The woodland walks are lovely at this time of year and on a clear day the views over the Cheshire Plain are great. And there really are hares!
Occupying a prominent position on three spurs on the Cotswold escarpment, there are views across the Severn estuary towards the Forest of Dean and Brecon Beacons. With its dramatic topography, intimate woodlands, extensive grasslands and exposed and wild promontory hill fort the estate offers a variety of contrasting experiences.
Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland, seeks to present a comprehensive view of the world of water through clear and interesting displays, informed helpful staff and exciting live presentations and animal interaction sessions.
The Greenway is a high quality surfaced path suitable for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users which runs from Stratford-upon-Avon to Long Marston. It is part of the National Cycle Network, forming a five mile section of the West Midlands Cycle Route, which links Oxford to Derby via Birmingham. It follows the course of the old Honeybourne railway line.
Get back to nature at this reserve, with over 1000 species recorded, there is always something to see. Free to visit.
College Lake Nature Reserve is thought of as one of the best places in Buckinghamshire to see water birds such as lapwings and redshanks.
There are a number of hides that overlook the lake and give you a great place to birdwatch.
One of 13 flagship nature reserves in the area with a beautiful trail that starts in an apple orchard, and passes a brook and a meadow. Lots of wildlife to enjoy, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and otters.
It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, plus it is open and all year and free to visit!
The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 37,000 pairs of puffin.
It's also home to a large grey seal colony, with more than 1,000 pups born every autumn.
Historically, the islands have strong links with Celtic Christianity and St Cuthbert, who lived here in the 7th Century.
This extensive park, over 120 hectares (300 acres), was laid out in the 1970’s. Formerly Newbold Comyn Farm, it was acquired by Leamington Corporation in 1943. The northern half is an 18-hole pay-and-play golf course; the southern half provides for recreation, sport and wildlife.
Situated in the village of Hunningham, about three miles east of Leamington Spa, this site is agriculturally improved grassland with small areas of relatively species poor semi-improved grassland. It has been used in recent years for year-round horse grazing.
Under leaden skies with a face full of wind there's nowhere like Copt Hall for refreshing the mind and blowing away the cobwebs.
Lobbington Meadow is an unimproved species-rich hay meadow which faces north east on the banks of the River Dene and exhibits ridge and furrow topography. The meadow overlies Lias clays and shales which have given rise to a calcareous soil.
Corrieshalloch may mean ‘Ugly Hollow’ in Gaelic, but there is nothing ugly about Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve, a deep tree-shrouded chasm and beauty spot that cuts through a Highland wilderness rich in flora and fauna. Corrieshalloch is a slot gorge, or box-canyon, that was cut as far back as 2.6million years ago by Ice Age glacial meltwater.
A horticultural tour around the temperate world with a collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, Blue Tibetan poppies, giant Himalayan lilies and Chatham Island forget-me-nots. Stroll through the woodland to the coastal viewpoint or relax in the water garden.
Holmwood Common is at the heart of the local community and is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by all. It’s just off the A24 (south of Dorking), so why not break a car journey south to the coast with a stop? Stretch your legs and explore...
Downs Banks Brook is a beautiful babbling stream that runs the length of Downs Banks. Keep your eyes open and you may see the fantastic blue flash of a kingfisher.
At the Linn of Tummel you can enjoy a beautiful circular woodland walk alongside the contrasting rivers of the slow flowing gentle Garry and the fast-flowing Tummel, rushing over rapids.
Polkemmet Country Park is a beautiful 68-hectare park in the heart of Scotland's Lothian region. The Park offers beautiful woodland and riverside walks, play area and picnic areas with seating.
You can walk, cycle, play in our 'miner's play area', go horse riding or orienteering, play golf and end the day by hiring a BBQ to cook a tasty meal.
This beautiful Cotswold countryside, which we manage jointly with Gloucestershire County Council, boasts a wide variety of habitats and plants. The limestone grassland is extremely rich in plants, which in turn support a large variety of insects, especially butterflies.
Lisnabreeny takes in wooded glen, estate and green field to the summit of the Castlereagh hills on the edge of east Belfast.
The path hugs the sides of Cregagh glen as it climbs through pools of sunlight cast by the trees. You’ll hear the waterfall, but also keep an eye out for the carpets of bluebell and wood anemone in spring.
The Marloes Peninsula combines dramatic coastal scenery and safe bathing on golden sands. You can look out for seabirds and seals and the remains of ancient peoples.
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.