Course Overview

GCSE Citizenship Studies enables students to deepen their understanding of democracy and government, the law, rights and responsibilities and how we live together in society.  The course enables students to think critically, evaluate evidence, debate ideas, make persuasive arguments and justify their conclusions.  The course enables students to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills to take responsible citizenship actions, play a positive role in public and democratic life as informed and active citizens, and provide them with the basis for further learning and study. 

Taking citizenship action

The course requires that students carry out an in-depth, critical investigation leading to a planned course of informed action to address a citizenship issue or question of concern. During their investigations students must use and apply citizenship knowledge, understanding and skills in a real out of classroom context, and gain different citizenship insights and appreciate different perspectives on how we live together and make decisions in society. Investigations will require students to practise a range of citizenship skills including: research and enquiry, advocacy and campaigning.  

The GCSE Citizenship Studies course starts in Year 9 and ends in Year 11 with written examination papers.  A weighting of 100% is given to external assessment, including assessment of the knowledge, understanding and skills gained through undertaking action in their in-depth study.  The course is of particular use for students wishing to go on to take A Level Government and Politics, Sociology, Law, Economics and Business Studies.