Humanities · KS3 & KS4
Citizenship
With this curriculum, we aim to give pupils the knowledge and skills needed to play an effective role in public and democratic life. Pupils learn foundational concepts such as power, democracy, rights, law, justice, diversity, equality, finance and active citizenship.
2026/27 at a glance
Each year is split into Autumn, Spring and Summer. Scroll sideways on small screens, or use the year-by-year detail below.
| Year | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
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| Year 7KS3 |
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| Year 8KS3 |
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| Year 9KS3 |
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| Year 10KS4 |
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| Year 11KS4 |
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Year by year
Year 7 Key Stage 3
Autumn
- Citizenship: what's it all about? What citizenship is, and the knowledge and skills needed to become an active citizen.
- What are our identities and our communities? Identities and communities, and how they change over time and in different contexts.
- What rights should all children have? The rights we are all entitled to and how citizens can protect them.
Spring
- How does local democracy work? The difference between local and national government.
- What is crime? What crime is, what causes it, and how communities can help prevent it.
Summer
- How can we make a difference in our communities? What community means and the role it plays at school.
- How does the rule of law contribute to fairness? How the rule of law works in society.
Year 8 Key Stage 3
Autumn
- How does the political system work in the UK? The roles of government and parliament and how they are organised.
- How does the media affect us? The roles and responsibilities of the media in society.
Spring
- What is the law and how is it changed? What the law is and how criminal and civil laws are made.
- How can citizens bring about change? The ways citizens can take action and why it matters in a democracy.
Summer
- Why is the struggle for the vote still important today? How political rights have changed, including the fight for women's suffrage.
- What can we do about global problems? Case studies from human rights to climate action, and how to take responsible action.
Year 9 Key Stage 3
Autumn
- How is the UK governed? Local, regional and national government, comparing the UK and US systems.
- Are people treated equally in UK society? Discrimination, how the law protects people, and how to build a fairer society.
Spring
- Why do people move around the world? Why people migrate, its impact on communities, and the support available to migrants.
- How can we manage money well? Borrowing, budgeting, keeping track of money and saving options.
Summer
- Can digital democracy increase political participation? What a digital citizen is and how digital tools can increase political engagement.
- How can young people play an active role in democracy? The roles young people can play, from school to local and national democracy.
Year 10 Key Stage 4
Autumn
- Should the UK be called a democracy? Key features of UK democracy and how those in power are held to account.
- How can politicians involve citizens in direct decision making? Methods of direct democracy around the world and how citizens can shape national policy.
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the legal system? How laws are made and enforced, and the purpose and types of punishment.
Spring
- How does the economy work? What the economy and taxes are, government spending and risk management.
- What can we do to reduce crime? How crime affects the UK and whether sentencing is effective.
- How powerful is the media? The media's influence and how citizens can navigate the information they see.
Summer
- How do democratic systems work around the world? How justice systems, media and government work around the world and their impact on rights.
- How does the UK play a role in the international community? The UK's role in Europe and the world, including the UN and WTO.
- How can I be a changemaker in my community? Active citizenship skills to make a positive change in the community.
Year 11 Key Stage 4
Autumn
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system? Types of democracy and the strengths and weaknesses of the UK system.
- Why do we need the right to protest in a democracy? How rights have developed in the UK and how they are protected.
- How does identity affect rights? Multiple identities and how they affect rights.
Spring
- Does our legal system protect citizens' rights? Criminal and civil justice, the judicial process and citizens' role in justice.
- How can the local economy support sustainability? The local economy and its impact on citizens, through the lens of sustainability.
- How well has the UK adjusted to its changing relationship with the EU? The reasons for the Brexit referendum and its implications.
Summer
- How effective are the UN and the SDGs at promoting sustainability? The role of international organisations in sustainability and climate justice.
- Synopticity: how do different ideas and concepts in Citizenship interconnect? How key citizenship concepts relate to each other.
- Practising what we have learnt Revisiting key concepts in preparation for GCSE papers.