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Valuing Each Other”

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Email: office@driffield.e-riding.sch.uk

Citizenship Studies

What will I learn?

The Citizenship Studies AS covers two main topic areas:

Identity, Rights and Responsibilities;
Democracy, Active Citizenship and Participation.

The Citizenship Studies A2 covers two main topic areas:

Power and Justice
Global Issues and Making a Difference

Building on previous learning at Key Stages 3 and 4, students will address the relationship between the individual, the law and the state, and the nature of identities at AS.
At A2, students will study the principles and characteristics of justice systems, the nature of representative democracy, the role of parliament in the UK and contemporary global citizenship issues.
The nature of citizenship is at the heart of contemporary debates about the kind of society we are striving to build. A key element of citizenship education is developing a student’s skills, confidence and conviction to enable them to take action on citizenship issues in their communities to bring about change. This is encouraged through the Active Citizenship Profile.

A2 Level

Unit 1 focuses on our social and political responsibilities and students will look at the ideas and debates surrounding prejudice and discrimination plus our rights and responsibilities. This is an exam based unit, tested by using a mixture of source materials and mini-essays and makes up 40% of the AS marks and 20% of the overall A level marks.

In Unit 2 the emphasis is on politics and our individual responsibilities in society. You will study various political areas such as the political process, democracy and political participation in the UK. You will also study the role of the citizen in democracy and bringing about change. This is an exam based unit, tested by using a mixture of source material and mini-essays and makes up 60% of the AS marks and 30% of the overall A level marks.

AS Level

Unit 3 focuses on Power and Justice. This looks in detail at crime and justice and law how these issues affect our society. This is an exam based unit and is 25% of the A2 course.

Unit 4 focuses on Global Issues and Making a Difference. This unit looks at who speaks on our behalf in our democracy and how the UK is governed and is primarily considering political issues. This is an exam based unit and is 25% of the A2 course.

In addition, as part of the course students are required to participate in a number of citizenship activities, recording their involvement using the Active Citizenship Profile. The activities can take place in the classroom, in school, college or the wider community. Students may work as individuals or in groups, and the activity can be linked to local, national or global issues as appropriate.

What are the entry requirements?

It is not necessary for you to have studied GCSE Social Science or GCSE Citizenship Studies before starting this course. However, your 5 A* - C at GCSE must include Religious Studies and English. It is also recommended that you have at least a grade C in GCSE Maths.

How will I be assessed?

The AS GCE is made up of two units which are externally assessed by written examination. Examinations will be available only in the June examination session. The Advanced Subsidiary GCE is both a 'stand-alone' qualification and also the first half of the A2 course and will form 50% of the corresponding four-unit Advanced GCE. The A2 GCE is made up of the two AS units plus the two A2 units together.

Future opportunities

What does the course lead to - ANYTHING!!! The course shows that you have a broad mind, and a willingness to listen to new ideas, other than your own - a key skill in the modern job market. The skills developed in Citizenship Studies could be particularly useful for careers in business, journalism, law, management, media medicine, public communication, politics, public relations, publishing and social work.

Is there anything else I need to know?

This qualification may be used in conjunction with any of the many award schemes or records of achievement that recognise active participation in citizenship activities, e.g. AQA's Unit Award Scheme, ASDAN, Citizenship Foundation Scheme Award, Diana Princess of Wales Award Scheme, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Junior Sports Leaders' Award, Prince's Trust, various Local Authority Youth Awards, etc. The course also has significant links with Law and Governement & Politics 'A' Levels.

I just wanted the opportunity to thank you and all your staff for making our daughter’s first year at Driffield School such a successful and enjoyable experience. Since starting last September we have been impressed by the feedback from your staff in way of letters, postcards, praise and encouragement for our daughter. it is very much appreciated.

Parents of Year 7 student

I am writing to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who volunteered to take part in the mock interview process today which I was part of…. Students had taken time to do preparation work and the effort to look at the part of an interviewee. The students were a credit to the school and their parents. They were eloquent, enthusiastic and asked pertinent and searching questions of the interviewers.

Business Mentor

I would like to pass on our compliments to the staff for their positive input over the last term and a half. We are very pleased with our daughter’s progress and significant improvement in many subjects.

Parent of Y10 student

My wife and I were delighted to be able to obtain tickets for the Saturday performance of 42nd Street. We wish to applaud all those involved in the brilliant show – not just the main characters, tap dancers and singers, but the excellent musicians and their two teachers; the remarkably efficient scene shifters; and all of your staff responsible for a really professional production.

Parent of student

I am writing to thank Driffield School and the Sports Department for their help and support during 2007. We ran four very successful school biathlons (run/swim) in Driffield. Thank you for your continued support.

British Pentathlon Development Officer

We are delighted with our daughter's transfer to Driffield School. She is enthusiastic about everything - her lessons, teachers and the other students - she never stops talking about them when she gets home. It is lovely to see her re-discovering her enjoyment of school life. Thank you for all your help and support with this.

Parent of Year 10 student

My daughter has just completed her A Levels and has now left Driffield School. However, I couldn’t let the occasion go without writing to thank you and your school for looking after her and giving her such a fine education – and more. Her splendid ‘A’ Level results stand testimony to hard work on her part and a lot of effort, encouragement and perseverance from her teachers.

Parent of Year 13 student

I would just like to know how much I enjoyed Driffield School’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The singing, notably from pupils in the lead parts, was fabulous. The acting in every case was excellent as was the musical accompaniment from the orchestra. Well done to all involved for supporting and encouraging the students in this way.

Parent of a student

On behalf of the President and members of Driffield Rotary Club, I write to thank the school for the cheque for £456.63, donated to go towards the cost of rebuilding the school in Sri Lanka destroyed by the Tsunami. It was very generous of the school’s Student Council to agreed to give the proceeds from the non-uniform in July to this very worthwhile project.

The International Committee of the Rotary Club

May I take this opportunity to thank your staff for a wonderful trip to Cork with the Driffield School Swing Band. The students were impeccable in all respects and a credit to the school and their teachers.

Parent of a student

We wish to place on record our sincere thanks, and would ask you to pass on our gratitude to all the members of staff who taught our daughter, particularly in the past two ‘A’ Level years.

Parent of Year 13 student

Driffield School is a vibrant community where teachers and students work hard and achieve well.

Ofsted Inspectors

In this increasingly effective school, standards are rising and have been consistently above average for the last three years.

Ofsted Inspectors

Parents speak well of the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff. They appreciate the way in which students are welcomed into the school and give a chance to reach their full potential.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students themselves say that they enjoy the huge range of opportunities open to them and feel well cared for.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students are confident, articulate and enthusiastic. Students of all ages mix well together because of the tutor system, which puts students of different ages in mixed tutor groups.

Ofsted Inspectors

Sixth Form students play an important role helping younger students to enjoy and take full part in the life of the school.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teachers have high expectations of what students can do and make these clear.

Ofsted Inspectors

Driffield takes good care of its students... Students work hard to reach increasingly challenging targets.

Ofsted Inspectors

This is a very successful Sixth Form. Results for AS/A2 and AVCE examinations are well above average, maintaining a consistently positive trend. Students overall achievement and progress in the Sixth Form are very good; many achieve well beyond expectation.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching is lively and challenging, and foster students’ responsibility and independent learning and results in very positive attitudes.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching and learning are good overall, with a high proportion of outstanding lessons.

Ofsted Inspectors

The school’s commitment to the care and well-being of students is evident in exemplary arrangements for child protection, safeguarding and health and safety matters.

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