ACT is delighted to support a campaign launched by the Council of Europe, 'Free to Speak, Safe to Learn', which encouarges all schools to become 'Democratic Schools'.
The 'Having a Say' Citizenship resources have been developed by ACT with support from the Historical Association, the Cabinet Office and the Government Equalities Office. They form part of a wider set of history and Citizenship resources to celebrate 100 years of votes for women.
The First News ACTive Citizenship Award Scheme provides: An award scheme to celebrate and acknowledge positive changes children are making in their communities; A toolkit to support, engage and empower children to become change makers, and to lead action on real issues they are concerned and passionate about; and curriculum guidance for teachers; A media platform, through First News, for children to report and share the changes they are making. Get your teacher and pupil toolkits.
This article from the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law considers some of the international issues related to the Rule of Law in KS4. In doing so, it highlights how important it is to approach the teaching of this value from the perspective of knowledge (what do we need to know and understand to use the concept of the Rule of Law?) and critical thinking skills (how do we use the concept to think about the nature of justice?)
Xiao Hui Eng, Research Fellow at the Bingham Centre, for the Rule of Law, introduces ‘the rule of law’ and outlines its relevance for Citizenship teaching. It is followed by a sample classroom activity from a resource pack.
John Hamer, Director of an educational consultancy and an expert consultant to the Council of Europe on history education, provides a substantial resource which has been developed by the Council of Europe to explore the connections between art history and a host of contemporary citizenship issues. This will be helpful when teaching about Human Rights.
Holly Greenland and David Carr, from Parliament's Education Service, discuss some of the exciting opportunities to engage your students in Citizenship, Government and Politics.
Chris Waller shares some ideas from teachers from across the country who are starting to consider how financial education can be taught in Citizenship.
The resources comes with ready to use pupil resource sheets, to introduce pupils to some of the key characteristics of democracy using a balloon debate activity. It can be adapted for use with key stage 3 and 4 pupils who are just begining to learn about the concept of democracy or for those who have been studying democracy as a way to check understanding of the key ideas.
Teaching Democracy - Compulsory voting? is a lesson and pupils' resources designed for use in secondary schools.
