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
This enormous 19th-century neo-Norman castle sits between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait.
It's crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, elaborate carvings, plasterwork and mock-Norman furniture. It also has an outstanding collection of paintings.
Penmaen Burrows and Nicholaston Burrows are nestled between Three Cliffs Bay and Oxwich Bay. A walk through the burrows will take you through heathland, woodland, sand dunes and cliff tops.
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 240 rescued and endangered primates. We have 8 species of monkeys and prosimians at the park: capuchin monkeys, common marmosets, cotton-top tamarins, ring-tailed lemurs, ruffed lemur, squirrel monkeys (pictured), stump-tailed macaques and woolly monkeys.
Today the Keep Military Museum is a striking landmark on the Bridport Road in Dorchester. Completed in 1879, it was designed to resemble a Norman Castle, and is built of Portland stone which gives it a white appearance. In 'British Barracks 1600-1914', James Douet explains that:
The World Owl Trust works on owl conservation on a global scale, and we have members in many countries around the world.
Our conservation programmes protect populations of endangered owls until their habitat has been restored. This has already been achieved for the European Eagle Owl and British Barn Owl.
Ranger’s House is an elegant Georgian villa in Greenwich Park built in 1723 to be the official residence of the 'Ranger of Greenwich Park'. From 1815 this post was held by Princess Sophia Matilda, niece of George III.
An ancient semi-natural woodland just north of Kenilworth, once part of the Forest of Arden. The wood is managed traditionally as high forest with a coppice understorey, providing tall trees of oak, birch and sweet chestnut with a lower shrub layer of hazel and holly.
Visit in May for fantastic displays of bluebells.
Species and habitats
Habitats
A magical place to experience animals, birds and all sorts of owls from all over the world. During winter months and in very wet weather the animals are displayed undercover.
Come along and enjoy flying displays, pig racing, tropical butterflies, snakes, reptiles, trout fishing and much more. Indoor and outdoor play areas for the children and barn style tea rooms for grown ups to relax.
If you're looking to plan a full day out, look no further. Woburn Safari Park offers amazing value for money, with many great activities all included in your ticket price.
Head to the leisure area and Foot Safari and park for free; you'll be amazed how many exciting activities are included in your ticket price.
Nationally and internationally acclaimed, adventurous theatre across two distinct venues - the Everyman and the Playhouse.
Schools
The Bakehouse Centre was specially converted from a former bakehouse and two cottages to house today's Museum.
Museum Staff are pleased to welcome visitors and offer a guided tour if requested. A printed guide to the collection is also available.
There are new exhibitions on the maritime history and a photographic history of the village.
Established in 1697, Surgeons' Hall Museum is the major medical museum in Scotland, and one of Edinburgh's many tourist attractions. The museum is recognised as a collection of national significance by the Scottish Government.
Currently the Museum is closed for Heritage Lottery Funded Redevelopment. It will reopen in Summer 2015.
Walk with Butterflies, the world’s most beautiful and delicate creatures as they fly around you.
A chance to walk with wolves and see them close up as you learn about these beautiful creatures.
There are also a number of Experience days available, including some that are specially tailored for kids. Many take place during the school holidays and more are added throughout the year.
Tropical World at Roundhay Park is one of the most well-loved family attractions in Leeds and only three miles from the city centre. At Tropical World you can take a trek through the rainforest; stopping off briefly in the outback of Australia before a quick excursion through the desert, and all in the same morning!
With lots of farm animals and cuddly pets to meet, including alpacas, sheep, goats, pigs, ponies, donkeys, rabbits and chipmunks, plus activities include owl displays, pig racing and animal handling sessions.
Looking for a Fun and Educational School Trip?
Well look no Further. We offer schools an Exclusive Package:-
Encounter an exotic world of butterflies and birds, mammals and minibeasts, reptiles and rodents, all brought up-close by our team of inspiring, knowledgeable guides.
Give your school group an unforgettable learning experience. You will find our curriculum-based Education Programme is flexible, interactive and lots of fun!
Everyone loves our resident seals and there are always plenty to been seen during their rehabilitation process. Loads more too: Penguins, Aquarium (find Nemo and friends), Tropical House (creepy crawlies), Tropical Butterflies (April to Oct), Crocodiles and Pets Corner too.
School Trips at Skegness Natureland
We are a unique zoo with a wide range of animals which you can see on a unique walking safari;
Lion's Lair
Lion Country is unique in the UK as visitors enjoy an on foot safari in safety along its 800m of pathway into the reserves. It is home to the lions rescued from Oradea Zoo in Romania
Tiger Country
With so many different species housed at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, the UK's biggest zoo, your trip will be full of excitement.
At the London Canal Museum you can see inside a narrowboat cabin, learn about the history of London's canals, about the cargoes carried, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats. Peer down into the unique heritage of a huge Victorian ice well used to store ice imported from Norway and brought by ship and canal boat to be stored.
Featuring Tree Top Junior and our classic Tree Top Adventure.
We think everyone has the Go Ape spirit just waiting to be unleashed! There’s no greater rush than the great outdoors, so whether your tribe is a birthday party, corporate event or simply a day out with the kids, we make our courses as fun and as accessible as possible.
Tilgate Park has so much to offer from stunning lakes, lawns and gardens to miles of woodland and bridleways for long leisurely walks. As well as all this Tilgate Park also boasts some excellent facilities:
Welcome to the Thrigby Hall wildlife gardens. See the beautiful gardens and the amazing wildlife we look after here in the gardens
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.