United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 11 Citizenship
This course prepares students for adult life by analyzing the UK's constitutional framework and the role of the citizen in a globalized world. Students evaluate the effectiveness of democratic institutions and the justice system while developing the skills to lead social change through informed advocacy.

01The UK Constitution and the Balance of Power
An investigation into the uncodified nature of the British constitution and how power is distributed across the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Explore the unique uncodified nature of the British constitution, identifying its key sources and principles.
Trace the historical evolution of key constitutional documents and conventions, from Magna Carta to modern acts.
Examine the concept of parliamentary sovereignty, its historical development, and its contemporary challenges.
Investigate the roles and powers of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and their relationship with Parliament.
Explore the functions of the House of Commons, including its legislative and scrutiny roles, and the role of MPs.
Examine the composition, powers, and reform debates surrounding the House of Lords.
Understand the structure and function of the UK judiciary, emphasizing the principle of judicial independence.
Examine how the principle of separation of powers operates in the UK's uncodified constitution, and its limitations.
Analyze how power is shared between Westminster and the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Evaluate the contemporary relevance and constitutional functions of the Sovereign in a parliamentary democracy.
Explore the structure and funding mechanisms of local government in the UK.
Explore the structure and functions of local government in the UK and avenues for citizen engagement at the local level.
Understand the fundamental principles of the rule of law and its importance in protecting individual liberties.
Differentiate between the various sources of law in the UK, including statute law, common law, and the historical influence of EU law.
Examine the powers and responsibilities of the police, and the balance between law enforcement and civil liberties.
Investigate the specific principles and processes of the youth justice system in England and Wales.
Explore methods of resolving disputes outside of formal court proceedings, such as mediation and arbitration.
Examine the provision of legal aid in the UK and the challenges faced by citizens in accessing legal representation.
Understand the origins and principles of the ECHR and its influence on UK law through the Human Rights Act.
Assess the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the tension between national security and individual privacy.

02Justice, Law, and the Citizen
Exploring the English legal system, the role of the judiciary, and the principles of natural justice and the rule of law.
Examine the right to freedom of expression and the legal and ethical limitations placed upon it in the UK.
Understand the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 and its role in combating discrimination based on protected characteristics.
Investigate the contribution of charities and non-governmental organizations to addressing social issues and advocating for rights.
A study of the purposes of sentencing in the UK, including retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and public protection.
Examine the effectiveness of the UK prison system in reducing recidivism and its role in rehabilitation.
Investigate non-custodial sentences and community orders as alternatives to imprisonment.
Understand the hierarchy of criminal courts in England and Wales, from Magistrates' Courts to the Supreme Court.
Explore the hierarchy of civil courts, including County Courts, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal.
Investigate the role of juries in criminal trials and the function of lay magistrates in the justice system.
Understand the distinct roles of barristers and solicitors in the UK legal profession and their contribution to justice.
Compare First Past the Post with proportional representation systems and their impact on government stability.
Examine the specific effects of the First Past the Post system on UK elections, party politics, and voter turnout.
Investigate historical and contemporary debates surrounding electoral reform in the UK, including referendums on voting systems.
Investigating the ideologies of major UK parties and how they translate their values into policy proposals.
Examine how political parties are funded in the UK and the regulations in place to ensure transparency and fairness.
Understand the influence of pressure groups on government policy and their methods of advocacy.
Explore various ways citizens engage with the political process beyond the ballot box, including petitions, protests, and volunteering.
Analyzing the influence of digital platforms on political discourse and the spread of misinformation.
Examine the debates and challenges surrounding the regulation of political advertising and content on digital platforms.
Understanding the UK's influence within the United Nations and its commitments to international peace and security.

03Democracy in Action: Elections and Voting
Critically examining the UK electoral system and the ways citizens engage with the political process beyond the ballot box.
Explore the UK's commitments to collective security through its membership in NATO and its role in international defense.
Examine the principles of international law and the tension between national sovereignty and international obligations.
Investigate the UK's role and responsibilities in addressing global challenges, focusing on climate change and environmental sustainability.
Exploring the ethics of trade agreements, fair trade principles, and their impact on developing nations.
Examine the UK's foreign aid budget, its objectives, and its impact on poverty reduction and development.
Analyze the historical context and key arguments leading up to the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Analyzing the changing relationship between the UK and the European Union following the 2016 referendum.
Examine the implications of Brexit for the rights of UK citizens living in the EU and EU citizens living in the UK.
Investigating how the government collects revenue through various forms of taxation.
Understand how the government allocates funds to public services and the factors influencing spending decisions.
Examine the concept of national debt, government borrowing, and the role of fiscal policy in managing the economy.
Examining the history and evolution of the UK's social security system, from its origins to the present day.
Investigate the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality in the UK, and different measures of deprivation.
Examine recent reforms to the welfare system and the ongoing debates surrounding benefits, work incentives, and social responsibility.
Analyzing the protections available to consumers in the UK, including legislation and regulatory bodies.
Analyzing the power and ethical responsibilities of multinational corporations operating in the UK and globally.
Explore the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its role in promoting ethical business practices.
Evaluating the effectiveness of different methods of social change, from lobbying to direct action.
Investigating the importance of investigative journalism and media bias in a democratic society.
Examine the regulatory frameworks for the press and broadcast media in the UK, and ethical dilemmas in journalism.
Planning and justifying a specific action to improve a community issue or raise awareness for a cause.
Students implement their citizenship action projects and reflect on their effectiveness and learning outcomes.
Students present the outcomes of their citizenship action projects to peers and stakeholders.