Citizenship
Citizenship is an all-encompassing subject and is considered equally important in terms of subject lessons, cross-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Lawrence Sheriff School celebrates the integration and achievements of its pupil’s both inside and outside of the classroom and considers Citizenship to be a core factor in these achievements as students are encouraged to take part in their communities.
Year 7
In Year 7 pupils are taught Citizenship in House groups. Their lessons are delivered to encourage reflection using a mixture of discussion, role play and research of current British topics.
Such topics include:
·Their transition to secondary school and their new community·The rights of a UK Citizen
· Using their rights & responsibilities
·Being global Citizens – forming an island colony; the banana pricing game; Fair trade policies; tourism
·UK politics & the history of Parliament
Comments from pupils in year 7 include:
· ‘I was interested in the Law topic as it is something I would like to do as a future career plan’
· ‘It is good to understand how others feel and not to judge them’
Year 8
In Year 8 pupils are taught Citizenship in House groups. Their lessons are delivered to encourage reflection with empathy through discursive, active engagement by all pupils covering a variety of British topics.
Such topics include:
· What is the Law? (Both Civil Law & Criminal Law)
· The work of a Police Officer – past & present
· The work of the UK courts
· Using a role play ‘Sentencing Circle’
· The role of the media – press freedom & spinning the news
· Programme scheduling
· Positive images – challenging stereotypes
· Refugees & Asylum seekers
· Human trafficking
· Using student voice
· The Emergency Health Services of the NHS
Comments from pupils in year 8 include:
· ‘Learning about asylum seekers caught my attention’
· ‘We study valid points for later in life – such as belonging to communities and the effects of the media’
Years 9-11
Pupils in Years 9-11 undertake an audit each year to identify where Citizenship threads occur in their individual lessons. These are compared to the annual teaching Citizenship audit undertaken by Subject Leaders – to ensure parity and the occurrence of key themes across the curriculum. Citizenship themes are used as a basis for assemblies as well as part of the tutor programme. Citizenship is currently delivered within the RE GCSE as dedicated timetabled lessons.
Years 12-13
Pupils in Years 12-13 undertake an audit each year to identify where Citizenship threads occur in their individual lessons. These are compared to the annual teaching Citizenship audit undertaken by Subject Leaders – to ensure parity and the occurrence of key themes across the curriculum. Citizenship themes are used as a basis for assemblies as well as part of the tutor programme. Pupils have a dedicated timetabled lesson, once a week – as part of the PSHE rotation. Students may also undertake the Extended Project qualification.
