Learning & Achieving Together

Citizenship and PSHE

The overall aim of the citizenship department is to contribute to the ethos of the Brentside community and to enable students to become caring and responsible citizens. At key stage 3, Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship Education are delivered in a carousel in order to give students a clear distinction between these two elements.

Our vision is to empower students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to make healthy and safe life choices, to develop positive relationships and respect diversity. In addition we provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them to play a full and active part in society, respecting different national, religious and ethnic identities.

The subject is timetabled for one hour each week across each year group in key stage 3.

Key Stage 3

Year 7

  • Human rights
  • Democracy
  • Wellbeing
  • Personal finance and careers

Year 8

  • Fairness
  • Economy
  • Local politics
  • Personal finance
  • Multiculturalism
  • Puberty and adolescence
  • Drugs and alcohol education 

Year 9

  • The Justice System
  • Politics and democracy
  • Sex and relationships education
  • Rights and responsibilities
  • The media

Key Stage 4

The subject is timetabled for one hour each week across each year group in key stage 4.

Teaching builds on the Key Stage 3 course and allows students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of democracy, justice, rights and responsibilities, identities and diversity. Students will develop the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to take action with others to address citizenship issues in their communities.

Assessment and Examination (Edexcel)

Year 10

Two written examinations

Paper 1 - Living together in the UK, democracy in the UK and law and justice

Paper 2 - Power and influence and taking citizenship action

Year 11

Two written examinations (Unit 1 and Unit 3) in Year 11

Two controlled assessments (Unit 2 and Unit 4) – one in Year 10 and one in Year 11

Key Stage 5

Students follow a citizenship and PSHE programme that encourages them to discuss and debate topical and relevant issues to further develop and refine their communication skills.  The course also plays a key role in preparing students for their next steps beyond school.  This begins with preparing Year 12 students for work experience so they develop skills, knowledge and understanding of a job which links to their chosen career path.  Over the two year programme, students explore a range of possible pathways from apprenticeships to universities and gap years where they are offered guidance and support with writing personal statements and UCAS applications. 

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Extra curricular opportunities include participation in Mock Trials, and current affairs and debate club .