Ethics, Beliefs and Culture & Citizenship
Ethics, Belief and Culture & Citizenship Curriculum Map
Ethics, Beliefs and Culture & Citizenship
GCSE Citizenship Studies gives students a deep understanding of how democracy, law, and public institutions function in the UK, exploring the rights, responsibilities and freedoms that shape everyday life. Through studying topics such as justice, the legal system, political participation, and the role of the media, students learn how power is exercised and how citizens can influence change at local, national and global levels.
The course develops students’ ability to think critically about real social and political issues, analyse evidence, and form well-reasoned arguments. They investigate contemporary challenges, from human rights and migration to community cohesion and public spending, building the knowledge and confidence needed to engage with debates that affect society. Students also learn how laws are made, how public services operate, and how citizens hold those in power to account.
A distinctive feature of the GCSE is ‘Citizenship in Action’, where students plan and carry out an in-depth investigation and real civic action project. Previous students have focused upon Human Rights abuses, FGM, and child soldiers. ‘Citizenship in Action’ gives students the opportunity to investigate a real issue and take informed, purposeful action that benefits their community or wider society. Through this process, they apply key citizenship knowledge and skills such as research, collaboration, problem-solving and advocacy, while gaining valuable insight into how decisions are made in society.
GCSE results have been excellent over the last two years, with a GCSE pass-rate of well over 80% with 96% of students achieving grades 9-4 in 2025.
Key stage 3
EBC Course overview
Key topics year 7
Students spend half a term focusing on both Citizenship and on Ethics, Beliefs and Culture (EBC).
- EBC Students look at Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism
- Citizenship students look at what Citizenship is, local government and human rights.
Key topics year 8
Students spend half a term focusing on both Citizenship and on Ethics, Beliefs and Culture (EBC).
- EBC students look at Christianity and Islam's attitudes towards suffering, wealth, injustice and war.
In Citizenship, students look at conflict, human rights and complete a philosophy unit.
Key stage 4
Edexcel GCSE Citizenship
Citizenship and teaches students about elections and voting systems, law and justice, local councils, democracy at work in the UK; human rights on a local and national scale; and crime, amongst many other relevant topics which are all stimulating and empowering for young people. Students will look into taking part in a citizenship action, undertaking an in-depth investigation into a global issue and creating a plan to tackle it. Previous students have focused upon human rights abuses, FGM and child soldiers.
Assessment
There are two assessment stages: Two exams (worth 50% each) both 105 minutes in length (worth 100%).
support materials and useful links
GCSE BBC Bitesize
BBC News
Pixl
Students should keep up to date with the news and current affairs and should have a solid understanding of the world around them.
Department Info
Enrichment opportunities
Visits to the House of Commons and Woolwich Crown Court.
Various visits from MPs, police officers, journalists etc.
Workshops from Greenpeace, Water Aid, CND, Animal Aid
Clubs and Interventions
Intervention takes place on a weekly lunchtime basis.
Future careers/uni courses.
Business, law (lawyer, solicitor, judge, barrister etc.), charity work, the Civil Service, the Diplomatic Service, education, police, journalism, media, politicians, social workers and any job in which a knowledge of current affairs is of benefit. These subjects teach a broader understanding of how the society we live in works.
Social, Moral, Social, Cultural (SMSC) and British Values
Many lessons give students the opportunity to voice their opinion and therefore listen to the opinions and beliefs of others. Students are encouraged to express their opinions towards different topics and events and a calm, understanding and encouraging environment is created in all Citizenship lessons so that students can express their opinions freely to staff and their peers. Students are then encouraged to think about their own beliefs and the ideas and values expressed and reflect upon them and how they influence our own actions and the actions of others around us.
Students will focus upon the law in the UK; understand the consequences of actions, both peaceful and non-peaceful; to be able to offer reasoned views and produce their own judgements. Students often look into legal cases and as a class debate about the consequences and the future in which the British legal system should go. For example, we discuss the role of the prison service, should this be for rehabilitation, re-education or as a form of punishment.
A big element to the course is the opportunity for students to play an active part in making a difference to their school or their local community. In the past, this has involved students becoming involved with student council, local businesses, radio stations, meetings with the police force, and local councils. Students feel a real sense of achievement and love the involvement that they have and the changes that they can personally bring to their school and community.
the right of withdrawal
In line with national legislation, parents and carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education (RE) in any school. This can be done without providing a reason.
We encourage families to understand the aims and content of our RE curriculum before making a decision, and we are happy to discuss any questions. If a withdrawal is requested, please make clear whether it applies to the whole curriculum or specific elements. Requests should be directed to the Headteacher, Mr T Lawrence.
If a pupil is withdrawn from RE, the school will provide supervision but is not required to offer alternative teaching. Pupils may work in another supervised area of the school during this time.
Parents should be aware that aspects of religion, belief, identity and diversity may arise naturally in other curriculum subjects - such as history, PSHE or citizenship - from which there is no right of withdrawal.