Getting the show on the road

Transcript Getting the show on the road

Getting the show on the road: facilitating learner-led post-16 citizenship events

Julia Fiehn Regional Trainer, Post-16 Citizenship Support Programme 6 March 2008

What is the Post-16 Citizenship Support Programme?

• • • • • • The Post-16 Citizenship Support Programme aims to: promote learning of knowledge and skills for democratic participation which meets the needs of all groups of young people, aged 16-19 in all settings extend understanding of the benefits of citizenship education and increase participation in all the post-16 settings disseminate key messages and resources from the development programme learn ongoing lessons from providers and enable these to influence good practice in citizenship education nationally promote better understanding and practice in relation to progression in citizenship learning from key stage 4 to the 16-19 phase and beyond foster links between 16-19 citizenship and related policy initiatives across Government

Related Government Initiatives

1. Personalisation and learner voice strategy (in FE White paper ‘Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances’)

‘As part of the vision for personalisation of learning, the LSC has been tasked with ensuring that every college and provider has a Learner Involvement Strategy (LIS) in place from September 2007’ • • •

2. Ajegbo review of Diversity and Citizenship:

A strand of the national curriculum for citizenship (ks3 and 4) entitled, ‘Identity and diversity: Living together in the UK’ ‘Who Do We Think We Are’ weeks in secondary schools Stress on the new duty on schools to promote community cohesion – inspections from September 2008

Related Government Initiatives continued

3. Consultation on recent document: ‘The role of further education providers in promoting community cohesion, fostering shared values and preventing violent extremism’. DIUS/AOC (www.dius.gov.uk/publications.html) 4. Piloting of aspects of the Diplomas, including the Extended Project

Opportunities for development of citizenship knowledge and skills through Extended Project a) a design; b) findings of an investigation or study; c) a dissertation presenting an argument; d) an artefact. ‘

Any of these can also include an active citizenship outcome

’.

5. Personal, learning and thinking skills

Independent enquirers, Creative thinkers, Reflective learners, Team workers, Self-managers and especially, Effective participators

6. Greater coherence for the Foundation Learning Tier (FLT)

To rationalise qualifications available at Entry and level 1(to include subject-based and vocational learning; personal and social development; skills for life and work). Citizenship can support social development and skills for life and work

What is citizenship?

Citizenship education

is an important part of the development of young people. It enables them to learn about their

rights

and

responsibilities

, to

understand how society works

, and develop

knowledge and understanding of social and political issues

. It prepares them for dealing with the challenges they face in life. Through citizenship education, young people are encouraged to

take action on issues of concern

to themselves and

play an active part in the democratic process

, thereby becoming more effective members of society.

Frequent misunderstandings

• • • • • •

Not the same as the legal status of citizenship ‘Active’ citizen – not necessarily ‘good’ citizen Need for political literacy, which is not necessarily ‘Politics’, but includes an understanding of power and influence Citizenship deals with public issues, whereas PSHE deals with personal issues Crick’s three strands (political literacy, community involvement, social and moral responsibility) should be inter related – not ticked off as separate activities Volunteering not sufficient on its own skills – it needs to be placed in social context so that young people gain new knowledge and