Education for citizenship and the teaching of democracy in schools

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On 19 November 1997, following proposals in the education White Paper, Excellence in Schools, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment pledged ‘to strengthen education for citizenship and the teaching of democracy in schools’, and to
that end set up this Advisory Group with the following terms of reference:

‘To provide advice on effective education for citizenship in schools – to include the nature and practices of participation in democracy; the duties, responsibilities and
rights of individuals as citizens; and the value to individuals and society of community activity.’

The framework document setting out the Group’s terms of reference explained that it would cover:

‘the teaching of civics, participative democracy and citizenship, and may be taken to include some understanding of democratic practices and institutions, including parties, pressure groups and voluntary bodies, and the relationship of formal political
activity with civic society in the context of the UK, Europe and the wider world...and...an element of the way in which expenditure and taxation work, together with a grasp of the underlying economic realities of adult life...’

The framework document also made clear that the Secretary of State expected the main outcomes of the Group’s work to be:
‘a statement of the aims and purposes of citizenship education in schools; a broad framework for what good citizenship education in schools might look like, and how it can be successfully delivered – covering opportunities for teaching about citizenship within and outside the formal curriculum and the development of personal and social skills through projects linking schools and the community, volunteering and the involvement of pupils in the development of school rules and policies.’

Our initial report setting out the aims and purposes of citizenship education in schools was published at the end of March 1998 to meet the timetable of the Qualifications
and Curriculum Authority for providing advice on the review of the National Curriculum.

This final report contains, along with the main section of our initial report, detailed proposals for a framework for citizenship education in schools. The report will be considered by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment with further advice from QCA on the review of the National Curriculum and other related initiatives.