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
  • Taking citizenship action
  • Personal finance and careers

Year 8

  • Fairness
  • Economy
  • Law and justice
  • Multiculturalism
  • Puberty and adolescence
  • Drugs and alcohol education 

Key Stage 4

Year 9 core citizenship

  • The Justice System
  • Sex and relationships education
  • Rights and responsibilities

Year 9 GCSE citizenship

Students who pick GCSE citizenship will cover:

  • Theme A: Living together in the UK
  • Theme B: Democarcy in the UK
  • Relationships and sex education

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

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 (Paper 1 and 2) in Year 11

Key Stage 5

For details of our Key Stage 5 curriculum, please see our Sixth Form prospectus.

Click here to download 6th Form Prospectus

Extra Curricular Opportunities

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