CITIZENSHIP


Citizens on a sinking ship?


With seven days to go until the call for evidence on the national curriculum review closes, the signs from government are that citizenship is still under threat


T


HE IMPACT of citizenship in schools has been revealed in a survey of professionals just days before the curriculum review’s call for evidence closes. The review of the national curriculum will decide the future of


citizenship in schools and campaigners are urging people to respond before the call for evidence deadline next Thursday (April 14). The campaign is being headed by Democratic Life, a coalition of organisations including the Citizenship Foundation, Amnesty International and the Association for Citizenship Teaching. Currently, citizenship is a statutory subject at key


stage 3 and 4, but campaigners fear that with education minister Michael Gove’s focus on traditional subject knowledge, it could be pushed out. Concerns were heightened in January when in


announcing the curriculum review Mr Gove made no specific reference to the future of the subject. The online survey by Democratic Life showed that


90 per cent of those who responded felt that citizenship had led to improved understanding in students of the law, politics and the economy, while 80 per cent said it had improved the “ethos and culture” in their schools. Citizenship has also improved understanding of


and relationships with communities beyond the school, according to 85 per cent. Worryingly, only 29 per cent said their school would continue to teach citizenship if it was made non-statutory – 56 per cent were unsure. Citizenship was introduced across the curriculum in 1996 and was made a compulsory subject at key stages


Mathematics


AST/SLT scale: £38,722 - £55,466 Teacher Scale: £23,024 - £33,489


We are looking for an ambitious Maths Teacher. You may be in the early stages of your career, or you may be an experienced established Maths Teacher looking to join us as either an aspirant AST or in a SLT development position. You will have high expectations and a commitment to getting the best out of your pupils. We will be ambitious for you and provide you with the professional development which will enable you to achieve the next stage in your career. For further information and an application form:


Visit www.basildonacademies.org.uk Telephone Nannette Windsor on 01268 498687 or email recruitment@basildonacademies.org.uk


Closing Date: Tuesday 17th May 2011 at Noon Interviews: Friday 20th May 2011


The Basildon Academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to CRB and health checks.


The Basildon Academies, Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex SS13 3HL English


AST/SLT scale: £38,722 - £55,466 Teacher Scale: £23,024 - £33,489


We are looking for an ambitious English Teacher. You may be in the early stages of your career, or you may be an experienced established English Teacher looking to join us as either an aspirant AST or in a SLT development position. You will have high expectations and a commitment to getting the best out of your pupils. We will be ambitious for you and provide you with the professional development which will enable you to achieve the next stage in your career. For further information and an application form:


Visitwww.basildonacademies.org.uk, Telephone Nannette Windsor on 01268 498687, or email recruitment@basildonacademies.org.uk Closing Date: Tuesday 17th May 2011 at Noon. Interviews: Monday 23rd May 2011


The Basildon Academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to CRB and health checks.


The Basildon Academies, Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex SS13 3HL


3 and 4 in 2002. Since then, almost 500,000 students have taken A levels and GCSEs in the subject, with 100,000 sitting citizenship GCSEs last year. There are now around 2,000 specially trained citzenship teachers. This week, Kate Allen, director of Amnesty


International, writes in SecEd calling for the subject to be safeguarded, alongside teacher Steph Preston, who is also backing the campaign (see, right). This follows an article from academic Dr Dr Andrew


Peterson, a senior lecturer in initial teacher education at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, backing the campaign which was published on the Democratic Life website last week. He said: “Education for democratic citizenship is


a core purpose of teaching and learning in schools, and indeed of teaching as a profession. Citizenship education has enabled pupils to learn about the nature of citizenship in contemporary Britain. This has, among other things, included pupils learning about rights, the legal system, parliamentary democracy, and the diverse and global nature of life today. “If citizenship education is either to be removed, or is


to lose its statutory force, a generation of young people will be deprived of an opportunity to formally learn about, investigate, and actively participate in, the political and social communities within which they live. This aspect of schooling is too important to be left to chance.”


Further information


• Democratic Life: www.democraticlife.org.uk • National curriculum review call for evidence: www.education.gov.uk/consultations


Science


AST/SLT scale: £38,722 - £55,466 Teacher Scale: £23,024 - £33,489


We are looking for an ambitious Science Teacher. You may be in the early stages of your career, or you may be an experienced established Science Teacher looking to join us as either an aspirant AST or in a SLT development position. You will have high expectations and a commitment to getting the best out of your pupils. We will be ambitious for you and provide you with the professional development which will enable you to achieve the next stage in your career. For further information and an application form:


Visit www.basildonacademies.org.uk Telephone Nannette Windsor on 01268 498687 or email recruitment@basildonacademies.org.uk


Closing Date: Tuesday 17th May 2011 at Noon Interviews: Tuesday 24th May 2011


The Basildon Academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to CRB and health checks.


The Basildon Academies, Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex SS13 3HL


11–19 Mixed Comprehensive Technology College. N.O.R: 1300 (including 260 in the Sixth Form)


Teacher of Science Salary: Inner London Pay Scale;


“The school has made good progress in the last couple of years and is well placed Weto continue this improvement...many areas have improved rapidly.”


want an insprational coll ague to take up this key leadership position at our progressive and dynamic Technology College. The ability to teach ICT would be an advantage. We need you to be:


Teacher of Science


• Committed to inspiring and motivating our students • A team player with proven leadership skills and excellent subject knowledge • An excellent communicator wanting the best for each student • Enthusiastic and optimistic in your approach to your subject and the school


Inner London pay scale Retention payment of £1,000 after 1 year’s service September 2009


In 2010 Hampstead School recorded it’s best ever examination results for the second year in succession, again beating all statutory targets. An HMI inspection of Technology in February 2010 recognised it as “Good” with “a strongly improving trend in standards”. You will build on the “clear vision…and good leadership” and take it further.


We are looking for an inspirational Science teacher to join our progressive and dynamic school.


We need you to be:


• Committed to inspiring and motivating our students


For details and an application form, please see the school website, or contact us by telephone or email. Closing date for applications: Midday on Thursday 28 April 2011 Interviews: Friday 6 May 2011


• A team player and strong communicator


• Enthusiastic and optimistic in wanting the best for each student


T: 020 7794 8133 Fax: 020 7435 8260 E: vacancies@hampsteadschool.org.uk


N.O.R: 1300 (including 260 in the Sixth Form) www.hampsteadschool.org.uk


“The school has made good progress in the last couple of years and is well placed to continue this improvement...many areas have improved rapidly.”


The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced CRB check. Checks willTeacher of Science


OFSTED October 2008


be made with previous employers. 11 – 19 Mixed Comprehensive N.O.R: 1300 Westbere Road, London, NW2 3RT - Head:F Jacques Szemalikowski Tel: 020 7794 8133 Fax: 020 7435 8260 Email: vacancies@hampsteadschool.org.uk Website: www.hampsteadschool.org.uk


Inner London pay scale Retention payment of £1,000 after 1 year’s service September 2009


Westbere Road, London, NW2 3RT - Head: Jacques Szemalikowski Tel:progressive and dynamic school. We need you to be:


11 – 19 Mixed Comprehensive N.O.R: 1300 020 7794 8133 Fax: 020 7435 8260


We are looking for an i spirational Sci nce teacher to join our


Closing date: 28 September 2010 If you have questions about this role, please contact: Margaret Johnson, Business Manager, Tel: 020 7794 8133, Fax: 020 7435 8260, Email: m.johnson@hampsteadschool.org.uk


• Committed to inspiring and motivating our students


• A team player and strong communicator


• Enthusiastic and optimistic in wanting the best for each student


Westbere Road, London NW2 3RT Head: Jacques Szemalikowski


www.hampsteadschool.org.uk


Email: vacancies@hampsteadschool.org.uk Website: www.hampsteadschool.org.uk


or details and an application form,


please see the scho website, or contact us by telephone or email specifying which post you are interested in.


Closing date for return of application form: Midday on Friday 30 January 2009


T: 020 7794 8133 Fax: 020 7435 8260 E: vacancies@hampsteadschool.org.uk


Closing date for return of application form: Midday on Friday 30 January 2009


Westbere Road, London NW2 3RT Head: Jacques Szemalikowski


For details and an application form, please see the school website, or contact us by telephone or email specifying which post you are interested in.


OFSTED October 2008


Support: Members of Amnesty’s Youth Advisory Group, including India Fahy, 16, from Drumragh Integrated School in Omagh, have backed the citizenship cam- paign by outlining why the subject is vital


Kate Allen Director, Amnesty International UK


Imagine a subject which taught school children about their rights and responsibilities. One that armed them with knowledge about what was expected of them and what they can expect from their society. One that brought the youth of today together as a cohesive unit. Does that not sound like an idea born of the Big Society agenda? Would such a lesson not be the bedrock of creating a society where young people were engaged and played an active role in their communities? Such a lesson exists, it is called citizenship, and the coalition government are contemplating scrapping it. It seems bizarre to me. Through citizenship, young


people learn about how the country, and indeed the world, works; including the justice system, democracy and human rights, all of which are vitally important in helping young people to understand their role. If the curriculum were to retain citizenship education, then unifying concepts could be woven into the education


of school children throughout the country. Teachers would have a platform to discuss societal and ethical issues that were at the forefront of public consciousness. The lesson’s abolition would confine the Big Society concept to political rhetoric and media fodder. In order for pupils to feel engaged in their culture


and to understand their place as a citizen, citizenship lessons have proved invaluable. Amnesty has worked closely with teachers to ensure that children are fully informed of the human rights that belong to us all. The lessons have been incredibly popular with students who have had their passion for the wider world – and their place in it – fired, through learning about topical social issues and debating moral questions. Providing an arena for discussion, debate and information for young people was a huge accolade for the English education system. The loss of the subject would be not only a tragedy


for school children in England, but it would also be an entirely counterintuitive move from the government which could do untold damage to the type of inclusive, participatory civilization they profess to promote.


Steph Preston, teacher Queen’s Park High School, Chester


Citizenship studies is one of the most important subjects schools can teach to children and young people. It starts in primary schools with such vital aspects as respect, working together and the role individuals can play in making a fair society. Secondary schools move this on to study identity, diversity and rights and responsibilities in a way that students can relate to their world. The understanding students gain of their role in society


and how important they can be in making society a fair and equal place for all is immensely important. Young people are very good at reflecting on their own lives and surroundings but need teaching about the wider issues of multiculturalism and global issues. The work done in schools is huge in importance and I cannot underestimate the value young people place on this learning. Citizenship ideas are incorporated throughout the


curriculum but it is really important to have dedicated lessons that address the current issues of the world today. Taking part in elections, setting up shops to raise money, charity events and sponsored silences, to name but a few, are all really important in creating the next generation of young people who can participate in society in a wider way than just their own environment. The understanding shown by our students has


proved that this is a very valuable subject that not only increases young people’s awareness but also gives them the opportunity to take this further and add to their portfolio of grades for university.


SecEd


14


SecEd • April 7 2011


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