DFE confirms reforms to GSCE Citizenship Studies for 2016
Michael Gove has announced today (9 April 2014) additional reforms to GCSE and A level qualifications. Citizenship Studies will be in the initial group of GCSE qualification subjects to be reformed.
Mr Gove stated,
“We are introducing more rigorous content into reformed GCSEs and A levels to be taught from September 2016 and 2015 respectively. Our revisions will make these qualifications more ambitious, with greater stretch for the most able; [and] will prepare younger people stronger for the demands of employment and additional study.”
The reforms to Citizenship Studies are intended to update area of study content to reflect the revised National Curriculum programme of study for key stage 4 and strengthen assessment approaches. The reformed GCSE in Citizenship Studies will be available for initial teaching from 2016. Parliamentary Year Book partners, the Citizenship Foundation and the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) are being consulted about the revisions.
Andy Thornton, CEO of the Citizenship Foundation stated,
“We are delighted that there is now absolute clarity around the status of citizenship education in schools. This puts the lid on a lingering myth that it was being dropped from the curriculum, or decreasing in value as a subject. At the same time as the Cabinet Office promotes youth led social action, this exam compliments a call for schools to offer the awareness and abilities and practical experiences to become active, informed and effective citizens.”
Liz Moorse of ACT and chair of the DFE Expert Group for Citizenship stated,
“These reforms should assist to reinvigorate the subject and strengthen its status in the eyes of schools, learners and parents. Numerous schools recognise the significant function citizenship plays in a broad and balanced curriculum and in offering learners with essential preparation for higher education and employment. These qualification reforms present an chance to clarify the key citizenship awareness, concepts and abilities that should be assessed and recognised through the GCSE qualification. Active Citizenship should remain a key element of any new GCSE qualification.”
Citizenship has been retained in the National Curriculum at key stages 3 and 4 and the GCSE Citizenship Studies is listed as one of the subjects that can be used in the ‘Progress 8’ performance table measure alongside Ebacc subjects.
The GCSE Citizenship Studies qualification was initial introduced in 2002 when Citizenship became a National Curriculum subject. In 2009 almost 100,000 learners a year achieved the qualification.
The A level for Citizenship will additionally be reformed and ready for use from 2017. For further guidance, see the relevant UK information.
