ACT Leads Curriculum Review Panel Discussion

On November 12, 2024, the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) hosted an online panel discussion, Make Space for Citizenship: A Discussion on the DfE Curriculum and Assessment Review. This event brought together educators, students, and policy advocates to examine how Citizenship education can address current challenges and thrive as part of a reimagined curriculum.

What was discussed?

Chaired by Marcus Bhargava, Chair of ACT’s Board of Trustees, the panel featured insightful contributions from Helen Blachford (Bohunt Trust), Michelle Codrington-Rogers (The Cherwell School, Oxford), Ja’Mari (Year 9 student), and James Wright (Kingston University). Together, they discussed the urgent need to elevate Citizenship as a fundamental subject within the curriculum.

Ja’Mari, a Year 9 student, spoke with passion about how Citizenship education has shaped his understanding of the world. Ja’Mari urged that Citizenship shouldn’t be for the privileged few, but a right for every student. At his school, Citizenship is a dedicated part of the curriculum across all key stages—students learn to think critically about current issues like climate change and social justice, developing the confidence to make a difference.

Michelle Codrington-Rogers, a seasoned Citizenship teacher, highlighted how the subject gives students a platform to explore and form opinions on the issues they care about. For Michelle, Citizenship isn’t just about learning how to vote—it’s about empowering young people to have their voices heard, both in school and beyond. She emphasised the need for Citizenship to be fully embedded in the curriculum, not confined to a single project or event. Michelle also advocated for the return of the Citizenship A-Level, seeing it as an important pathway for students eager to deepen their studies.

For Helen Blachford, Citizenship has become a cornerstone of the curriculum across her multi-academy trust, providing students with a foundation in democratic principles and critical thinking. However, she acknowledged that this commitment is not yet the norm in many schools. Helen urged for a renewed effort to make Citizenship a universal entitlement, something embedded from the very start of a student’s education through to Key Stage 5. She sees the curriculum review as a key opportunity to achieve this vision, ensuring that every student gains the skills to navigate society thoughtfully and responsibly.

James Wright, an academic in Citizenship education, raised an important point on access. He shared troubling research on the disparity in Citizenship education across the country, particularly in disadvantaged areas, where students are less likely to have access to GCSE Citizenship. Citing evidence, James noted that students exposed to more Citizenship education report higher tolerance, stronger support for democracy, and greater confidence in their political voices—outcomes that are crucial for building a vibrant, cohesive society.

Past Events and ACT’s Make Space for Citizenship Campaign

This panel event was part of ACT’s ongoing Make Space for Citizenship campaign. In recent months, ACT has hosted other impactful discussions, including Shaping the Future of Primary Citizenship and Engaging Young People in Democracy. These sessions, along with consultations with the ACT Council, schools, teachers, and education partners, have underscored a broad consensus: Citizenship education must be prioritised within a balanced, inclusive curriculum.

As highlighted in the recent House of Lords debate on the Education (Values of British Citizenship) Bill, many policymakers and educators are calling for a renewed focus on Citizenship. ACT’s Make Space for Citizenship campaign advocates for more dedicated teaching time and specialist teacher training, aligning with these calls and emphasising that Citizenship must be accessible to all students as a foundation for democratic engagement.

Shaping Our Response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review

ACT’s activities, consultations, and events have contributed to developing a robust response to the Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review. We believe this review offers an unprecedented opportunity to secure Citizenship’s place in the curriculum as a high-quality, statutory subject that prepares young people to thrive in society. We encourage our members and all those invested in Citizenship education to join us by submitting their own responses to the review.

To support this, ACT has shared guidance on how to effectively contribute to the review. Together, we can ensure that Citizenship education remains at the heart of our curriculum, equipping students to shape a just and inclusive society.

To read a summary of our response and access guidance click the button below.