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ACT is the professional subject association for those involved in citizenship education. This website offers resources and information to help you deliver excellent citizenship education.
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National Curriculum - Secondary
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Classroom Resources
Association for Citizenship Teaching supports teachers delivering Citizenship education - both those who are trained specialists and those who are new to Citizenship education.
Recommended Resources - Secondary
We have a whole section on Recommended Resources which is available to ACT members.
Recommended Resources - Primary
We also have resources for Citizenship education in primary schools.
ACT has a monthly theme with ideas and recommended resources for teaching a topical issue.
We also publish a printed journal Teaching Citizenship full of resources, case-studies and teaching ideas.
Emergency Help for non-specialists
Many schools still use non-specialists to teach Citizenship. This is a challenge for them and the Citizenship subject leader. However it's a reality. Some non-specialists even find themselves as subject leader for Citizenship education.
Using ICT to campaign for change
Young people are already conversant with ICT. They are engaging with the world around them through bebo, facebook, online news, online forums and much more.
In Citizenship it's our role as teachers to equip these young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to play active roles in society. Campaigning for change is an inherent part of this. And the internet is an essential tool for any campaign.
It's up to you to guide your pupils through creating a campaign for something they believe in and that means online campaigning.
Summer of Discontent
How will you as a teacher tackle the issue of the civil unrest "The Riots" in England in the summer of 2011?
Much of this could be central to a lesson on justice, society, democracy, participation and representative politics.
The work that follows is to help teachers and classes engage with these issues to raise questions and discussion about certain aspects of civil society, including: the role of the police in maintaining law and order; the responsibility of the individual and the community to be upholders of the law and participate in life in a democratic way; the responsibility and the role of government in building a cohesive society.
Community Cohesion and Preventing Violent Extremism
The duty on schools to Prevent Violent Extremism - DCSF guidance for schools - is highly controversial. Many teachers feel that much of the PVE strategy potentially drives a wedge between them and their pupils and the community the school is set in. Teachers are nevertheless being asked to do this and in many schools the Citizenship teacher has been identified as the leader of such work.
Arab Revolution
The protests in Egypt that have led to the president of 30 years stepping down is an event of huge global significance not only for Egypt, but also for neighbouring countries like Sudan, Yemen, Algeria and Israel, By extension it is having a deep impact on international relations. How huge the wave of change will be has yet to be seen.
The people of Egypt took to the streets to demonstrate against the president. They demanded his resignation and a transition to democracy. After 18 days of protest the president resigned and the people celebrated having got what they wanted.
Haitian Earthquake
Use the Haitian earthquake as a starting point for a discussion with your class about the role of the government and the global community. This guides you through starters about the illegal drugs trade, global interdependence, immigration, the role of the British government and responsibility.
Student Protests
There's so much going on in the world that affects young people in England today, so help them understand the news and to ask questions about what's going on.
Consider the role of government and the role of citizens and consider the effects on society.
Citizenship through Careers Learning
These resources form part of a suite of materials that link secondary curriculum subjects with careers education AND support the three aims of the national curriculum.
As well as their unique contributions to young people’s development, there are many links between the content of the Citizenship programme of study and learning through Careers.
Exploring identity and diversity
Teachers have accepted for a long time that students should learn about the negative effects of racism on people’s lives. Indeed, schools are required by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to promote positive race relations. More recently, schools were given a new duty to promote community cohesion (inserted into the Education Act, 2002 by the Education and Inspections Act, 2006). For their own welfare, students also need to know what the law says about racism and hate crime. The law can deter potential offenders and protect potential victims but education can go farther than the law by helping young people examine their own attitudes to other people and other faiths and explore difference, whether real or perceived, through rational and logical debate. All of these processes are known to contribute to higher levels of tolerance towards ‘people of difference’
More resources
ACT members have access to all our resources.
Recommended Resources - Secondary
We have a whole section on Recommended Resources which is available to ACT members.
Recommended Resources - Primary
We also have resources for Citizenship education in primary schools.
ACT has a monthly theme with ideas and recommended resources for teaching a topical issue.
We also publish a printed journal Teaching Citizenship full of resources, case-studies and teaching ideas.
