Citizenship Studies

GCSE Citizenship Studies (9-1) is available to external candidates. However all specifications require candidates to complete a project on taking citizenship action. This is assessed through questions in the exams, however the exam centre must submit a written confirmation that the project has been carried out. You will need to find an exam centre who are prepared to sign the declaration. 
== AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies ==
AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies page and specification
* Exams from: June 2018
*Specification code: 8100
*Available: June series
*Assessment: Paper 1 - 1hr 45 mins, Paper 2 - 1hr 45 mins
====Subject Content ====
*1. Citizenship skills, processes and methods
*2. Life in modern Britain
*3. Rights and responsibilities
*4. Politics and participation
* 5. Active citizenship
====Assessment ====
100% exam based. However Active citizenship topic requires completing a practical investigation that centre must be prepared to submit a declaration for.
====Resources====
Textbook 
Workbook
Revision Guide
Oak Academy has some good Citizenship lessons
ACT - Association of Citizenship Teachers - have some resources
Creative Resources sell printable topic booklets
EC Publishing has some lesson plans for sale 
A Facebook group Citizenship Studies for Home Educators has been set up (new in August 2021) to support home educators studying towards Citizenship GCSE/IGCSE qualifications.
==EdExcel GCSE Citizenship Studies==
EdExcel GCSE Citizenship Studies page and specification.
*Exams from: June 2018
*Specification code: 1CS0
*Available: June series
*Assessment: Paper 1 - 1hr 45 mins, Paper 2 - 1hr 45 mins
====Subject Content ====
The course content is divided into five themes:
A: Living together in the UK
B: Democracy at work in the UK
C: Law and justice
D: Power and influence
E: Taking citizenship action
====Assessment====
100% Exam based. However centres must provide written confirmation that students entered for the qualification have completed their own in-depth investigation and citizenship action. A form is available for this purpose. The project is supposed to be done as a group,
== OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies==
OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies page and specification.
*Exams from: June 2018
* Specification code: J270
*Available: June series
*Assessment: Paper 1 - 50 mins, Paper 2 - 1hr 45 mins, Paper 3 - 1hr
====Subject Content====
Students study a variety of issues that together help them appreciate different perspectives on how we live together and make decisions in society.
There are four sections.
Section 1: Rights, the law and the legal system in England and Wales
Section 2: Democracy and government
Section 3: The UK and the wider world
Section 4: Citizenship action 
====Assessment ====
100% exam based. However centres must provide a written statement to OCR confirming that the centre has taken reasonable steps to ensure that each learner has carried out a Citizenship Action project. It should also include confirmation that, through their action, learners have practised a range of citizenship skills (spec lists specifics). The project is supposed to be done as a group,
== GCSE Taking Citizenship Action Project==
All of the GCSE specs require the candidates to complete an Active Citizenship investigation as part of the course. The investigation must relate to the content of the course.
Edexcel and OCR have a requirement that is done as a group, AQA recommend a group but allow individual projects so AQA is the best route for most home educators.
The investigation is not marked, it is assessed through a set of questions in Paper 1 section A. The questions will seek to draw upon the knowledge and understanding of the skills, methods and processes students have gained from taking citizenship action. These questions will account for 15% of the total GCSE marks.
Exam centres are required to submit a written statement that all candidates have met this requirement and the investigations are the candidates work and conform to AQAs criteria. So you need to find an exam centre prepared to undertake this. What they will ask for may vary. It's best to check you have a centre who will sign off the investigation before you study. It shouldn't be a requirement to study the full course with a tutor but best to check with centre. May or may not be extra costs involved depending on centre.
The requirements of the Investigation are outlined in the specification here and Chapter 4 in the textbook has some explanation.
The Active Citizenship lessons on Oak Academy are really useful 
AQA provide an optional investigation portfolio that can be downloaded from here it's a good way of making sure all 6 steps are covered.
==Edexcel IGCSE Global Citizenship==
See this page for more information about Global Citizenship IGCSE.
Category:Subjects