Citizenship Policy
Rationale
Moorside has been awarded an International Schools Award for our global links.
We have a strong programme to support different areas of the curriculum, for example, Modern Foreign Languages annually take visits to Europe to embed learning in this area, Geography includes study in Chamonix to support GCSE work, and regular trips to Europe to participate in activities such as sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and skiing are offered to support the PE and PHSE programme. We believe that it is important to give opportunities for our students to work with one another co-operatively to support their learning both in this country and abroad.
We have been keen to look at good practice abroad and to this end Ms Lindsey and Ms Kirkham have visited schools in Hungary to view best practice in the areas of Gifted and Talented. In addition, Mrs Bird, will be participating in a Reciprocal Visits programme early this year with our partner school in Ghana in order to plan future curriculum links to support science, maths and citizenship initially.
We consider it to be important for our students to have the opportunities given to them to explore their own values and identities as individuals and as members of local, national and global communities whilst at the same time exploring and respecting the identities and values of others.
It is our intention that such opportunities will broaden their experience of life by contact with people from a variety of backgrounds, countries, faiths and cultures whilst also enabling them to enjoy, appreciate and respect the cultural diversity that they encounter.
Policy
We aim to prepare our students to be informed and achieve citizens within a multi cultural society and a rapidly changing world so that they may be able to face the challenges, opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
In developing the International Dimension we are mindful of addressing the following school aims:
- To provide a broad, balanced and challenging curriculum, relevant and responsive to individual needs and which builds on previous educational experiences
- To promote the personal, social and spiritual development of each individual
- To encourage students to develop a sense of responsibility towards the wider community
- To provide a diversity of learning and extra curricular experience that widens the outlook of our students
Specific International Aims
By promoting the International Dimension across all aspects of school life, we aim:
- To enrich our students education through providing a broad range of international experiences across the whole school curriculum (including extra curricular activities)
- To foster a sense of an ‘international identity’ across the whole school community through understanding and appreciating the concept of ‘global citizenship’
- To respect and to value races and cultures different from their own
- To promote more positive attitudes towards other cultures across the whole school community
- To enable students to communicate with different races and cultures across the world through the use of modern information technology
- Students will be given the opportunities to gain the ability to make informed perceptions of other cultures and societies
- To foster an awareness of their own culture and society and challenge their own ideas and judgements
- To raise their awareness of global issues concerning the environment, development, sustainability and independence of trade and give them a sense of ownership of decision making at a global level
- To become competent and confident global citizens with a sense of achievement
- To be encouraged to develop their communication skills through the enhanced use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
We believe that developing international links will further enrich the ethos of the school:
- Contribute to the achievement of high standards of attainment for all students and their teachers
- Offer a vehicle to support school improvement related activities
- Raise the profile of the school in the local community
- Assist students in their career
How is it taught?
Citizenship is taught in a number of ways.
As part of the Curriculum
In year 7 pupils are given 1 lesson per two weeks, which are in ability groups. The content for Year 7 will be as follows:
- Rules, Fairness and Responsibilities: In this scheme pupils will learn the ideas of rules and fairness through the medium of the school situation.
- Local Democracy: Pupils will learn in an interactive way the role of the local council and the purpose of elections.
- Rights 1: Pupils will look at the idea of Human Rights and Responsibilities, stereotyping and discrimination through various examples and case studies.
At Key Stage 4 all pupils undertake a GCSE course in Citizenship. They start this at the end of Year 10 and follow it through in Year 11 where they take the examinations. There are 2 pieces of coursework that accompany the examination and this account for a high percentage of the marks.
Across the Curriculum
Throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 Citizenship is taught and pupils experience a wide range of Citizenship concepts and ideas in many different ways.
There are key carrier subjects that deliver a majority of this. Geography, Religious Education, History and English provide the basis of this but valid contributions from Science, PE and DT also enhance the pupils understanding.
Challenge Days
These are a new idea and provided a good introduction to the topics. The following topics are covered:
- Year 7: learn about the school community and their role in it.
- Year 8: look at the local community and experience various charity groups that provide a service to this.
- Year 9: take a look at charities from a local, national and global perspective.
- Year 10: will be completing an element from their GCSE Citizenship studies.
What are Citizenship skills?
In citizenship, argument is encouraged as long as we listen to what other people are saying and show respect for them. Argument doesn’t mean shouting or repeating our views. It is about connecting with the views of others and responding to them.
Discussion is a vital part of our lives. If we are not able to express our views effectively, how can we persuade someone that what we have to say is important? If we cannot convince others of the importance of our opinions, how can we get them to support us or help to change things?
In order to persuade people of our views in a debate or discussion:
- we need a strong argument supported by relevant facts
- we need to know the views of the people we will be arguing against so we can respond
- we need to be able to listen carefully to what others are saying and be prepared that they may have a better argument than us
- we need to be open minded and ready to change our opinions
