Personal Development & Citizenship

Head of Department: Ms A Hamblen

Our Citizenship and Personal Development curriculum offers a vibrant and essential journey for students, fostering informed, active, and responsible citizens. From Year 7, students delve into the principles of rules and fairness, exploring individual rights and responsibilities, and understanding the diverse communities and British values that shape our society. We equip students with vital life skills, covering healthy lifestyles, safe social media practices, and managing emotions. Students gain an early introduction to democracy, learning how the UK political system works and the importance of individual liberty.

As students progress, they examine the legal rights and responsibilities of young people, the causes and consequences of crime, and the role of the justice system. We foster a sense of international responsibility, exploring global campaigns like Fairtrade and the actions of organisations such as the WHO. Our curriculum also addresses crucial aspects of Relationships and Sexual Health (RSE), including personal and societal impacts of sexualisation, contraception, STIs, consent, and healthy relationships. Students develop a growth mindset, learn coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, and explore digital morality and personal finance.

For Key Stage 4, Citizenship truly shines as an academically rigorous and highly relevant GCSE subject. Students on the Citizenship GCSE course will explore "Living in the UK," examining freedoms, rights, and challenges, including historical and modern immigration issues, prejudice, and discrimination. They will gain a deep understanding of "Democracy in the UK," learning about voting systems, the roles of MPs and the Prime Minister, law-making processes, and government accountability. The "How the Law works" theme covers criminal and civil law, the roles of legal professionals, the legal system's approach to young people, and current trends in crime and punishment. A unique and empowering element is the "Taking Action" project, where students work in groups to research an issue they are passionate about, communicate with those in power, and plan and execute an action to make a difference, contributing 20% to their Paper 2 exam. Finally, the "Power and Influence" theme links all previous topics, exploring how power operates within UK society and our country's relationship with international organisations like NATO, the UN, and the Commonwealth. This comprehensive and engaging GCSE not only cultivates active and informed citizens but also provides an excellent academic foundation with fantastic links to a wide range of Post-16 courses, including Law, Politics, Sociology, and Public Services.

Email contact: STA-HeadofCitizenship@stanway.school