The Deliberative ClassroomGeneral Guidance for teachers explains why schools need to address topical issues in the curriculum as part of their work to build resilience to radicalisation and extremism and develop understanding of democracy and citizenship.
Helen Blachford, Curriculum Leader PSCHE, led work on The ACT Building Resilience Project at Priory School in Portsmouth.
This project focused on critical thinking, problem solving and enquiry skills through three Citizenship lessons with two Year 9 classes. Pupils explored concepts of democracy, rule of law and rights and responsibilities in the context of media bias/falsification in reporting about Islam and Islamophobia.
The role and work of the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) has been commended by DFE Minister, Nick Gibb.
In recent correspondence with ACT, Nick Gibb who is the Minister of State for School Reform, has stated his appreciation of the expertise and support that ACT provides to schools and acknowledges the time and effort that goes into providing this.
The RSPCA has produced a large number of curriculum-linked resources. So far they have got over 60 lesson ideas that include teacher and pupil fact sheets, pupil activity sheets and engaging photos and pictures. Topics range from Animals and the law to Biodiversity. The topics are aimed at different age groups and cover curriculum material for Science and Citizenship Key stage 1 - 4. Many of these resources are also available in Welsh. All these resources can be found at www.rspca.org.uk/education.
The 'Advisory Group on the Teaching of Citizenship and Democracy in schools' published a report on 22 September 1998, often referred to as 'The Crick Report', that set out out the vision and ambition for citizenship education in England. In 1997, David Blunkett MP then Secretary of State for Education appointed Bernard Crick as chair of an advisory group to provide advice on the teaching of citizenship and democracy in schools.
The Deliberative Classroom 