Active Citizenship in Schools Programme
What are we trying to find out?
The Active Citizenship in Schools Programme (ACiS) is an innovative four year development and research programme designed to embed active citizenship and social action within the curriculum.
The programme involves a series of development activities designed to support and enrich Citizenship in schools through teacher support, CPD, training and high quality resources; and a research study to assess the impact of the methods and approaches that best support active citizenship and social action in the curriculum.
We are working with schools across the country to build a movement committed to integrating citizenship and democracy education as a curriculum subject over the long term.
The research is seeking to establish an evidence base that answers a number of key questions including:
- What are the citizenship curriculum model/s that best support regular, sustained active citizenship and social action in secondary schools?
- What are the most effective roles for teachers in supporting regular and meaningful active citizenship with students?
- How can schools ensure that as many students as possible engage in and benefit from regular active citizenship opportunities?
- Which approaches demonstrate and provide a pathway to ongoing action and democratic participation, including through the NCS programme?
What are we trying to achieve?
We are working with schools across the country to build a movement committed to integrating citizenship and democracy education as a curriculum subject over the long term.
For teachers we are helping them develop research informed practice, improve their subject knowledge and citizenship pedagogy, especially in relation to active citizenship. For young people, the ACiS programme seeks to improve their political literacy, democratic engagement and participation alongside their personal development, employment prospects and life skills.
How to get involved in the programme
- Join our teacher networks
- Attend CPD and training events
- Use our model curriculum and toolkits to support active citizenship in your school
- Self evaluate your provision and contribute to national research to see how well you are doing
