Delivering Citizenship through the History National Curriculum in England: A Practical Approach in a Primary School Context

Abstract

This article considers how citizenship education can be forwarded through the curriculum in a primary school context. It specifically looks at how History teaching through a module of work in the National Curriculum (England and Wales) can be used as a vehicle for developing the concepts inherent within citizenship. It focuses on work with upper Key Stage Two pupils (aged 10 to 11) in a state primary school with a view to seeing how far they can comprehend the necessary knowledge and understanding required to effectively discuss citizenship-related issues. Given that citizenship has been given growing attention by government through the Department for Education and Skills at both primary and secondary level, it was appropriate to undertake a practical approach to questions of delivery.