The Team

Mr J Butler

Head of Sociology/Teacher of Citizenship and PSHE

Introduction to the Department

Citizenship is a subject that works in conjunction with Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE). It allows students the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to play an effective role in society at local, national and international level.

In particular, there are three main ideas of social and moral responsibility, community involvement and political literacy.  Citizenship is therefore totally cross-curricular, however, in order to enhance the learning process, there is a discrete lesson every week in Years 8 and 9 and once a fortnight in Years 7 and 10. This is in conjunction with days off timetable where we explore key issues in more detail.

Key Stage 3 Information

In Year 7, students study the topics of Risk, Healthy Lifestyles, Criminal Justice System and Politics, culminating in a very exciting Year 7 By-Election for the Constituency of St Peter’s Catholic School at the end of the year with students really engaging with democracy.

In Year 8, students study Human Rights, Diversity and Globalisation in Citizenship. They also complete a module in Careers and Future Options helping them to consider their future plans and what they need to do to fulfil their ambitions.

In Year 9, the students look at Politics and the Criminal Justice System in more detail, as well as studying Media Literacy through which we explore issues such as fake news, filter bubbles and radicalisation. We have an in-depth topic on Positive Lifestyles which explores risks such as vaping, smoking, alcohol, drugs as well as mental health issues including self harm, eating disorders and anxiety.

In Year 10, we look again at Human Rights in the Wider World. This is supplemented by cross-curricular days where we explore issues of Discrimination and Equality as well as fulfilling the KS4 RSE curriculum exploring Consent, Healthy Relationships, CSE and other aspects of RSE.

In Year 11, we have two drop down days that follow RSE and PSHE curriculums. These days explore a range of issues such as Drugs, Alcohol, Mental Health, Healthy Relationships (including at Work), Sexism and Masculinity.

In Sixth Form, we continue with our RSE and PSHE provision through drop down days and Theology lessons. During the Sixth Form, we learn about Addiction, Drugs, Consent, Contraception amongst other topics.