Teachers from secondary schools and colleges across England are invited to take part in a teacher only Lessons from Auschwitz course. These four-part professional development courses are for secondary or post-16 teachers of any subject area.

There are still places available on our courses in both Manchester and London. The application deadline is Friday 24th May. Go here to apply.

ACT wants to recruit new Trustees to its Board to expand and enhance the expertise available to the Charity. We are particularly keen to recruit those who are committed to ACT’s mission and strategic aims, can contribute actively to the Board’s role in setting the overall strategic direction of the organisation to help ensure the organisation meets its objectives, is well managed, is in line with legal obligations and is financially sustainable and provide support and advice to staff in delivering ACT’s agreed programmes work.

ACT would especially like to hear from those who have knowledge and experience in finance, human resources, business development, fund raising and how the law affects charities.

Download more information here.

ACT Council submitted its commentary on the Citizenship draft PoS to DfE this week. The consultation closed on Tuesday April 16th. ACT is delighted that at least 130 submissions came from Democratic Life supporters, thus enhancing the overall focus on Citizenship within the curriculum review. ACT Council also commented on the absence of clarity regarding Citizenship in Key Stages 1 and 2.

Now that the consultation on the curriculum has ended, ACT expects an announcement to be made later this school term and that new materials for teachers to use will be sent to schools for the Autumn term. Currently the Coalition government plan for the new curriculum to be taught from September 2014.

ACT Council and staff will be planning a full suite of support materials and activities for teachers from Autumn 2013. Details of these will emerge during the next few months. Most importantly, the ACT Conference on July 9th will have a focus on the big themes proposed in the new curriculum and provide an opportunity for members to discuss the new curriculum and its implications for schools, pupils and teaching. Do make sure that you attend to get the best and latest advice and support. Details of the ACT Conference can be read via this link

The ACT Council submission to the DfE can be read at the bottom of this page

Are you debating this with your students? Have you been discussing this controversial politician who has been dominating the headlines for the past week? Is it a hot topic that divides the class and promotes good quality research and thinking about politics, politicians and their actions...or is it just too much to handle?

ACT Council member Leigh Canning has helping her students think about these issues and explore the huge amount of information; positive, negative, accurate and inaccurate, historical and contemporary with her students. This is a very controversial, topical and sensitive issue for many. If you want to look at her lesson ideas and get more information then do contact Leigh at l.canning@hotmail.co.uk

Tickets for this year's ACT teacher conference are now on sale.

The 2013 ACT conference is an opportunity to celebrate the continued growth of Citizenship and will help you prepare to teach the new Citizenship curriculum and bring you up to speed on the latest changes to the subject.

Choose from a range of workshops and seminars that will equip you with fresh ideas and resources. These are tailored to the big themes and issues of the new curriculum. Displays of resources by leading publishers and NGOs will enable you to browse the best products that make Citizenship such a vibrant school subject for pupils.

Our keynote speaker will be David Blunkett MP, political founder of Citizenship Education and a key ally in maintaining the status of the Citizenship in the new curriculum.

Giving Nation, a programme of the Citizenship Foundation, is a cross-curricular programme designed to get secondary schools and alternative education settings involved in active citizenship.

Through structured class-based learning the Giving Nation programme supports every young person to make a positive difference in the world. As a result we hope that the young people can use their skills in advocacy, campaigning, fundraising and project management to become life-long givers as they discover their political influence.