1. The Only Specification
GCE Citizenship
The Only Specification

2. New A Levels from 2008 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper
Reduce the Assessment Burden
From 6 units to 4 units: 2 at AS and 2 at A2
Introduce Stretch and Challenge
New A* Grade
Subject Criteria
Defines the framework of content for specifications and the assessment objectives
Explains the background to the development of the new A levels

3. Why Citizenship?
“Citizenship education … is not just knowledge of citizenship and civil society; it also implies developing values, skills and understanding.” the Crick report, September 1998
“Post-16, citizenship takes critical democracy and active participation a step further. Post-16 citizenship should give young people opportunities to identify, investigate and think critically about citizenship issues, problems or events of concern to them.” Towards Consensus, Ofsted, September 2006
“Citizenship education … does have at its heart a commitment to enabling young people to participate fully in a democracy, and ultimately, securing a cohesive and inclusive society” Citizenship Education, House of Commons Education and Skills Committee, February 2007

4. What is Citizenship about?
Identity: What is a citizen? Are we all equal?
Democracy: politics at local, national and global level
Justice: How does law work in practice?
Power: How are decisions made?
Participation in the community: Local to Global
How individuals and groups can make a difference

5. The dynamics of GCE Citizenship
Develops and expands upon students’ Key Stage 4 knowledge base
The citizen as both an individual and a member of the community is at the heart of the AS modules
The GCE AS as a standalone qualification should enable students to gain more than UCAS points
Reasons to offer GCE Citizenship

6. The dynamics of GCE Citizenship
Active Citizenship and the development of related skills is embedded within the AS
The A2 demands higher order skills in both depth and range of knowledge expected and in relation to the application of Active Citizenship Skills via researching contemporary Case Studies

7. Why GCE Citizenship?
Allows for clear progression from the GCSE Short Course, and GCSE Full Course once available (September 2009)
Can plan a coherent citizenship framework supported by a qualification structure
Offers the curriculum opportunity to develop students’ understanding of contemporary society and the role played by individuals and groups

8. Why GCE Citizenship?
Enables students to play their part, helps develop the Learner’s Voice and, via the emphasis on active citizenship, develops more confident learners

9. Skills Developed Planning, negotiating, decision making
Researching, analysing and evaluating information
Recognising views and opinions and being able to identify bias
Developing arguments and conclusions
Working with others and problem solving

10. AQA and Citizenship AS Social Science: Citizenship piloted
2001
AS Social Science: Citizenship piloted
2002
Citizenship becomes a Statutory National Curriculum Subject
AS Social Science: Citizenship launched
2003
GCSE Citizenship Studies (Short Course) launched
2006
Extended Project pilot
AQA’s A Level Citizenship Studies available
2008
First Specialised Diplomas available
AQA’s pedigree to develop this course
2009
GCSE Citizenship Studies (Full Course) available

11. Underlying Principles
3 stages of Citizenship development
The Informed Citizen
The Participating Citizen
The Active Citizen
AQA’s thinking behind the development of the specification

12. Qualifications across the Key Stages
Level1/2 AQA Unit Award Scheme
Level 2 GCSE Short Course
Level 2 GCSE Full Course (September 2009)
Level 3 GCE AS Social Science: Citizenship
Level 3 GCE AS (September 2008)
Level 3 GCE A2 (September 2008)
Level 3 Extended Project
AQA Bacc
Specialised Diploma

13. AS at a Glance Unit Weighting Title Content 1 2 1h 15m 20% Identity,
Rights and Responsibilities
Identity
1 compulsory question + 1 mini essay (from 2)
Rights & Responsibilities 2
1h 30m
30%
Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation
Making a Difference
Active Citizenship
1 structured question based on active citizenship participation

14. A2 at a Glance Unit Weighting Title Content 3 1h 30m 4 25%
Power and Justice
Crime, Justice & Punishment
1 question from a choice of 3
Power, Politics & Participation 4
1h 30m
Global Issues and Making a Difference
Global Citizenship
Active Citizenship
1 from 2 based on topics released in advance

15. AS Unit 1: Identity, Rights and Responsibilities
What does it mean to be British?
What is a Citizen and perceptions of being ‘British’
How socially diverse is Britain?
Are we all equal citizens?
Prejudice, discrimination and disadvantage
How can discrimination and disadvantage be reduced?

16. AS Unit 1: Identity, Rights and Responsibilities
What are my rights and responsibilities?
What are rights?
What rights do I have?
How are my rights protected and supported?
The Legal Framework – protecting the citizen
How do the courts protect my rights?

17. AS Unit 2: Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation
Making a Difference
Who can make a difference?
Who holds power in the UK?
How can I make a difference?
Playing your part: how the citizen can get involved and make a difference
Citizenship in Action: Citizens working together to bring about change

18. AS Unit 2: Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation
Active Citizenship Skills and Participation
Becoming an Informed Citizen
The Participating Citizen
Being an Active Citizen
The Active Citizenship Profile

19. A2 Unit 3: Power and Justice
Crime, Justice and Punishment
What is Crime?
The nature of crime and the role of the police
The Crown Prosecution Service and the trial process
What is Justice?
Who makes decisions: Judges, Magistrates and Juries
Sentencing

20. A2 Unit 3: Power and Justice
Politics, Power and Participation
Who speaks on our behalf?
Electing representatives, elections and accountability
The citizen’s relationship to those elected
How is the UK governed?
The power and influence of government
Interdependence and the global village

21. A2 Unit 4: Global Issues and Making a Difference
Global Citizenship
Universal Human Rights
Universal rights
Human rights abuse
Global Issues
Conflict and its resolution
Trade and environmental issues
Active Citizenship
Individuals and groups that make a difference Studied through pre-released topics

22. Active Citizenship For discussion: possible activities?
Participation in class debate exercising knowledge and understanding about becoming informed citizens, with pupils making responsible suggestions
Written and other class and home work arising from work in citizenship taken to sensible conclusions and containing responsible suggestions
Where appropriate, recommendations, delivered in a responsible way to the management of the school, local authorities and other bodies, on policies and practice (for example, via the school council)
Where appropriate, recommendations, delivered responsibly, to the public at large in school publications and on school internet sites
Presenting a case or concern to others
Conducting a consultation, vote or election
Organising a meeting, event or debate
Reviewing a school policy; contributing to community policies
Lobby and campaigning via a website, podcast or display
Setting up an action group or network; training others in democratic skills

23. AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: Unit Award Scheme
Provides formal recognition of students’ learning in short units of work
For students of any ability and any age
Units can be written for your own use or you can select from the citizenship units already available
There are a number of citizenship units available on the AQA website

24. AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: GCSE Short Course
Over 73,000 candidates in 2007
The course meets the requirements of the KS4 Programme of Study
Assessment
Written paper 60%
Coursework 40% - Active Citizenship element
Full Course available September 2009
73142 candidates this summer

25. AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: Extended Project
Level 3 Qualification developed with City & Guilds
In-depth project covering a range of knowledge, skills and processes
Available nationally from 2008
Active Citizenship can form part of the Extended Project
Level 1 and Level 2 being piloted now
The Extended Project is a project chosen by an individual learner, requiring the learner to show his or her ability to plan, deliver and present a piece of work at Level 3. It offers learners an opportunity to produce an extended piece of work either in an area that they are studying or in which they have a particular interest. It will require up to 120 guided learning hours and will attract UCAS points.
It offers students a free project choice, so they can explore in depth an aspect of a subject they are studying, or
a topic in which they have a personal interest.
The topic for the project is chosen by the student and agreed by the student's teacher, who then acts as his or her supervisor. The student has to show that they can plan, deliver and present an extended piece of work at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework.
Extended Projects are being developed at Level 1 and 2 and are being piloted now. Further details and the application from are on the AQA website

26. AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: AQA Bacc
Broader Study
Designed to develop critical thinking / citizenship skills through: General Studies, Critical thinking or Citizenship to AS Level.
Enrichment Activities
Community participation (for example community work in local schools, hospitals, charities); Work-related learning; Personal development activities eg Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, debating society etc
Independent Learning
The Extended Project will develop students’ abilities to manage tasks using their own initiative and resources.
Recognised, academic study in-depth
The Bacc is built on the solid foundation of students’ main A Level choices.
AQA Bacc
What does a student need to do to
achieve an AQA Bacc?
Students will need to:
• study at least 3 A Levels
• study a further ‘breadth’ subject to
at least AS - either General Studies,
Critical Thinking or Citizenship
• complete an Extended Project
• participate in ‘Enrichment’ activities
When are the first awards made?
The first AQA Bacc has been
undertaken by students at Farnborough
Sixth Form College with awards being
made in Summer This is to be
followed by 50 centres that will pilot
the AQA Bacc and receive awards in
Summer 2008 and 2009.
The AQA Bacc will be available
nationally from Autumn 2008.
What makes the AQA Bacc stand
out from other Baccalaureate
qualifications?
The International Baccalaureate (IB)
requires particular subjects to be studied
- all of which must be completed. There
is less restriction in the AQA Bacc;
the component GCEs have a value in
their own right and the overall award is recognition of much wider achievement.
The Welsh Bac has key skills at its
compulsory core with A Levels as
optional studies.
What has the AQA Bacc in common
with other ‘baccalaureates’?
The AQA Bacc has similar ideals to the
IB and the Welsh Bac in developing
independent research skills and
community participation or work related
learning through wider ‘enrichment’
activities.
Is there a grading scheme?
There are three levels of AQA Bacc -
an AQA Bacc
an AQA Bacc with Merit
an AQA Bacc with Distinction.

27. AQA’s Citizenship Qualifications: Specialised Diplomas
AQA and City & Guilds working in partnership
Blend of academic and vocational skills
From September 2008:
Construction and the built environment
Creative and Media
Engineering
Information Technology
Launching in September 2008, Diplomas have been developed to increase the employability of year old students by:
Developing the specific workplace skills that employers are looking for
Improving key generic skills like numeracy, literacy, communication and ICT
Preparing them for the world of work through relevant placements and team projects
Opens up choices for young people by offering different ways of learning and a route into higher education or employment
Diplomas are a blend of academic and vocational skills
We will be providing all 14 lines of learning and the first lines on offer from September 2008 are:
Construction and Built Environment
Creative and Media
Engineering
Information Technology