Citizenship

Year 7

Summary of curriculum:

Introduction to British Values and UK democracy. This builds on KS2 knowledge and ensures all students have a consistent foundation.

Main Topics:

Values, British Values, road safety, internet safety, puberty, feelings, family, knife crime, careers, diversity, money.

Assessment throughout the year:

Baseline assessment in September

Assessments are scheduled throughout the year

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Year 7 (11-year-olds):
A parent or person caring for an 11-year-old can support their child in Citizenship lessons by encouraging open discussions about current events, helping them understand basic rights and responsibilities and promoting respect for others’ views at home.

Character enrichment opportunities:

·       School council participation

·       Anti-bullying ambassadors programme

·       Volunteering in form groups or library helpers

Useful websites:

·       BBC Bitesize – Citizenship (values, democracy, rights)

·       Childline – feelings, puberty, relationships

·       ThinkUKnow (CEOP) – internet safety

·       Brake / THINK! Road Safety

·       Young Money / My Money Week – basic money skills

·       CareerPilot / National Careers Service (KS3)

Year 8

Summary of curriculum:

Introduction to Law, Youth Crime, and Human Rights. Encourages deeper thinking about justice, fairness, and responsibility.

Main Topics:

Disability, invisible illness, mental health, sleep, personal hygiene, legal and illegal drugs, alcohol, vaping, knife crime, SRE*, extremism, law, diversity.

Assessment throughout the year:

Baseline assessment in September

Assessments are scheduled throughout the year.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Year 8 (12-year-olds):
A parent or person caring for a 12-year-old can support their child in Citizenship lessons by discussing current events and local issues together, encouraging them to think critically about different viewpoints, and supporting them to take an active role in school and community activities.

Character enrichment opportunities:

·       Peer mentoring programmes

·       Volunteering in form groups or library helpers

Useful websites:

·       Mind / Young Minds – mental health, sleep

·       NHS – Drugs, Alcohol & Vaping Resources

·       Frank (Talk to Frank) – drugs and substance information

·       Childline – personal hygiene, family issues

·       Educate Against Hate – extremism and radicalisation

·       Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – rights & diversity

Year 9

Summary of curriculum:

In-depth exploration of voting, government, political systems, and the challenges of modern democracy. Identity and community are also explored, linking to PSHE themes.

Main Topics:

Gangs, knives, CSE**, menopause, sexual harassment, RSE*, STIs***, contraception, families, family roles, parenting and parenthood, drugs, alcohol and vapes, BiteBack youth activist movement.

Assessment throughout the year:

Assessments are termly.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Year 9 (13-year-olds):
A parent or person caring for a 13-year-old can support their child in Citizenship lessons by exploring more complex political and social issues together, encouraging independent research and discussing how they can make a positive difference in their community.

Character enrichment opportunities:

·       Volunteering or social action projects

·       Healthy relationships / consent workshops

·       Youth activism campaigns (e.g., BiteBack participation)

·       Duke of Edinburgh

Useful websites:

·       NHS – Sexual Health (STIs, contraception)

·       Brook – reliable RSE education

·       CEOP ThinkUKnow – grooming & CSE

·       Crimestoppers / Fearless.org – gangs & crime

·       BiteBack 2030 – food, health, activism

·       Refuge / Women’s Aid – sexual harassment & healthy relationships

Year 10

Summary of curriculum:

Our combined programme for Year 10 ensures full compliance with statutory RE and PSHE education and deepens students’ understanding of the law, human rights, equality and religion in modern Britain.

Main Topics:

Students will complete work based on RE, PSHE and Citizenship. This covers all of the compulsory requirements as well as other enrichment opportunities.

We cover: human rights, racism, disability, the right to express religious beliefs, mental health, relationships, consent, harmful behaviours, media, global governance, tax, income and wealth, expenditure.

Assessment throughout the year:

Students are assessed at timely intervals.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Year 10 (14-year-olds):
A parent or person caring for a 14-year-old can support their child in Citizenship lessons by discussing national and global issues, encouraging thoughtful debate and supporting them to develop informed opinions and take responsibility in school and beyond.

Character enrichment opportunities:

·       Revision workshops

·       Volunteering or leadership roles in school

Useful websites:

·       Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – rights & equality

·       Amnesty International UK – human rights

·       BBC Bitesize – Religious Studies

·       National Careers Service (KS4)

·       Mind / Kooth – adolescent mental health

·       Citizens Advice – money, tax, income, rights

Year 11

Summary of curriculum:

Continued development of KS4 knowledge, with a focus on real-life application and how to be an active citizen beyond school.

Main Topics:

Students will complete work based on RE, PSHE and Citizenship. This covers all of the compulsory requirements as well as other enrichments opportunities.

We cover war, peace, choices and decisions, sexual bullying, relationship decisions, mental health, gambling, civil and criminal courts, UK and the wider world political systems.

Assessment throughout the year:

Students are assessed at timely intervals.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Year 11 (15–16-year-olds):
A parent or person caring for a 15–16-year-old can support their child in Citizenship lessons by helping them consolidate their understanding of democracy, law and society, encouraging critical thinking about current affairs and supporting active engagement in community or school initiatives.

Character enrichment opportunities:

·       Revision workshops

·       Volunteering or leadership roles in school

Useful websites:

·       ICRC / Red Cross – war, peace, humanitarian issues

·       UK Parliament Education Service – political systems

·       NSPCC & Childline – sexual bullying, healthy relationships

·       GambleAware / Big Deal – gambling risks

·       YoungMinds – mental health support

·       Citizens Advice – rights & legal matters

Year 12

Summary of curriculum:

At Year 12 students continue to follow a compulsory PSHE and RE curriculum alongside their elected courses.

Main Topics:

Ethics, quality and sanctity of life, genetic engineering, animal testing, careers, RSE*, menopause, politics.

Assessment throughout the year:

Students are assessed at regular points throughout the year

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

·       Discussing ethical issues and current events to help them explore different viewpoints and build critical thinking skills.

·       Helping them manage workload and deadlines, encouraging planners, revision timetables, and healthy routines.

·       Supporting their career exploration, such as attending open days, researching universities/apprenticeships, or discussing future goals.

·       Encouraging independence, including managing personal time, study habits, and responsibilities.

·       Talking about adult life skills—budgeting basics, online safety, healthy relationships, and wellbeing.

·       Promoting healthy stress management, such as exercise, sleep routines, and balancing commitments

Character enrichment opportunities:

·       Mock interviews / CV workshops

·       Personal finance workshops

·       Community volunteering

·       University preparation or life-skills modules

·       Social action projects

Useful websites:

·       BBC Ethics Guides – sanctity of life, genetic engineering

·       Nuffield Bioethics – human & animal ethics

·       UCAS / Apprenticeships.gov – careers

·       Brook – RSE

·       British Menopause Society – menopause education

·       UK Parliament – political literacy

Year 13

Summary of curriculum:

At Year 13 students continue to follow a compulsory PSHE and RE curriculum alongside their elected courses.

Main Topics:

Playing your part in a democracy, identity and community, charity and NGOS, discrimination and the law, money, alcohol, pregnancy and options, parenting, Socrates, Plato

Assessment throughout the year:

Students are assessed at regular points throughout the year.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

·       Helping them prepare for next steps such as university, apprenticeships, work or gap years. This could include applications, personal statements, or CVs.

·       Discussing real-life adult responsibilities such as financial choices, housing options, contracts, and workplace rights.

·       Encouraging thoughtful discussions about democracy, identity, ethics, and current affairs to build strong reasoning skills.

·       Supporting revision and exam preparation, helping them balance study and wellbeing.

·       Promoting good decision-making, including safe relationships, mental health awareness, responsible use of money, and online safety.

·       Encouraging community involvement, volunteering or part-time work to build confidence and experience.

Character enrichment opportunities:

·       Mock interviews / CV workshops

·       Personal finance workshops

·       Community volunteering

·       University preparation or life-skills modules

·       Social action projects

Useful websites:

·       UK Parliament Education – democracy

·       Citizens Advice – money and legal rights

·       Mind & NHS Mental Health – stress, decision-making

·       Parenting.org.uk / NHS – pregnancy & parenting

·       The Philosophy Foundation – Socrates, Plato

·       Charity Commission – NGOs and charity work

Subject contact: Mrs Knight

   enquiries@darlaston.graceacademy.org.uk