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
Fun pool with flume, bubble beds and more features; heated outdoor pool and kiddie gym.
Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre has an excellent range of facilities including: 25 Metre, 8 Lane Competition Swimming Pool; Leisure Waters (Flume, Spa, Bubble Beds and Lazy River) and 20 Metre Heated Outdoor Pool.
A play area for younger kids as well as a 'teen' play area, new tennis courts, a multi-use games area and a bowls green. There is also a skatepark facility, but the park still remains a green and tranquil place close to the town centre.
Aylesbury's largest indoor play centre offers children a fun filled experience. With three play frames to suit ages 0 to 11 years, birthday party rooms, sports court and relaxed cafe area, Zoomania is the perfect entertainment venue for all the family.
In the Roald Dahl children's gallery you can boggle your eyes and baffle your brain and let your imagination run wild!
Buckinghamshire County Museum is an award winning County Museum in the attractive old town area of Aylesbury in beautifully restored buildings, some dating from the 15th century.
Join in with on this totally kid friendly working family farm.
Oak Farm Animal Park is a traditional organic working farm, home to a variety of animals, many of which are rescued for a second chance in life.
Karting is a great fun experience, whether it's adults verses children (please note, there is a 1.3 metre height restriction to drive a kart), men verses women or just to see who can complete a lap in the fastest time! From 8 years and up.
Children are happy exploring in the undergrowth, hiding in trees and riding bikes, there is an adventurous children's play area set in the middle of the forest suitable for children up to 12 years old, with swings, slides, climbing frames and a challenging ropes trail.
In the 1750s at his family seat in Buckinghamshire, Ralph Verney set out to create a country house of extraordinary grandeur that would dazzle his wealthy neighbours and outdo his political rivals. Thirty years on he was facing financial ruin.
Today the interiors that remain are among the most ambitious and lavish ever created in the 18th century.
Children's indoor activity centre in Buckingham town centre. Coffee shop, very high quality food with healthy options. Large play structure + separate climbing wall and three party rooms.
We offer a wide range of play possibilities for children in a safe and homely environment with designated areas for over and under 3s.
25 metre swimming pool plus leisure pool with flume and interactive play features.
Children's indoor activity centre in Buckingham town centre. Coffee shop, very high quality food with healthy options. Large play structure and separate climbing wall plus 3 party rooms.
A quarter of a mile of dimly lit passages and exciting caverns which can be explored endlessly. Originally excavated by hand and now with realistic waxworks and sound effects, this unique and historic place comes to life. Cool on a hot day, dry when it's raining.
Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
A popular Lido located in the centre The Rye. The 2 heated outdoor pools and changing facilities have just been refurbished. The Lido has also been expanded to include gym, exercise studios, soft play and a cafe.
Facilities overview
Indoor soft play area suitable for ages 0 to 8 years that includes a large ball pool, two slides and a three level exciting play frame plus toddler area with features.
Includes a large ball pool, 2 slides and an exciting 3 level play frame with all the classic fun softplay stuff kids love, from tunnels and bridges to nooks and crannies! Great for physical and social play.
Here you can enjoy hands-on activities, exhibitions and special events in a lively and friendly atmosphere. As members of the Thames Valley Museums Family Friendly campaign Wycombe Museum is committed to giving you a warm welcome whenever you visit. General entry to the Museum is FREE.
Jainism is an Indian religion followed by several millions of people in India and by a sizeable number of migrant Jains in Europe, East Africa and North America. The name Jain is derived from a word in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit Jina meaning 'victor' over the passions and the self.
Their indoor play arena is a soft arena with 3 floors filled with all the latest play equipment, including Ball Pool, Huge Slide, Climbing Bridges to guarantee a fun and crazy time for 0 to 8 year olds.
The gatehouse, chapel and other remains of a communal residence for priests serving the parish church, founded by locally-born Archbishop Chichele before 1425. Regularly used to display works of art.
Chichele College was founded by Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1414 to 1443 and the founder of All Souls’ College, Oxford. He was born in Higham Ferrers in about 1362.
Waterside House, Oxford Island houses a local history reference library which has a collection of books, journals, maps and photographs relating to the local area. The library also holds a collection of books from the Ulster Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and a collection relating to Methodist history in Ireland.
The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is situated in the Oxford Island Nature Reserve on the southern shores of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK. With over 200,000 visitors every year, the Discovery Centre is an ideal place to promote the principles of sustainability.
Take in breathtaking views of the Chilterns. NEW Crossings for 2014.
NEW ‘Extreme’ route now open at Go Ape Wendover Woods. A first for Go Ape, a scrambling net and climbing wall just to reach our most adventurous crossings. Will you take on the challenge?
The park offers the people a green retreat, somewhere to relax and enjoy being outdoors. The recently refurbished play area is very popular and the park comes alive at the weekend to support the thriving Leys football clubs.
The park is open all year round, offering space to:
The Pitt Rivers Museum is famous for it's period atmosphere and outstanding collections from many world cultures, past and present.
Primary schools
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.