Association for Citizenship Teaching

How can we help students have respectful discussions about controversial issues? ACT’s Deliberative Classroom guidance supports teachers to lead knowledge-based discussions and debates on contemporary and controversial issues. It offers practical guidance on using deliberation to develop students’ knowledge, critical thinking and democratic values. Download the guidance: https://ow.ly/u7uX50ZWSNs #DeliberativeClassroom #ControversialIssues #TeachingCitizenship

How can we be informed consumers? Ahead of #TalkMoneyWeek, help KS3 students explore how spending choices connect to ethics, sustainability & human rights with this unit of work available for School and College members: https://ow.ly/6Mun50ZWSOH

In this week's First News Special Report, we explore how voting systems work and how systems differ across the UK. It is an ideal conversation starter to help young people understand democracy, representation and how their votes shape political decisions. Read the full edition: https://ow.ly/TaN150ZYVie #FirstPastthePost #ProportionalRepresentation #VotingSystems #TeachingCitizenship

What can schools do to help young people feel that politics is for them? Professor Bryony Hoskins highlights that Citizenship education has an important role to play, not just in what students learn, but in how they experience political discussion in the classroom. This is particularly important for girls. The G-EPIC research shows how creating space for students to develop, discuss and question their own ideas can support more confident political participation. Read the article: https://ow.ly/X4AV50ZWSHX Explore the free G-EPIC classroom resources: https://ow.ly/pRj550ZWSHZ #GEPIC #TeachingCitizenship #PoliticalLiteracy

Today is Anti Slavery Day - a day which raises awareness of slavery in both historical and contemporary contexts. In “Why teaching about slavery goes deeper than you think”, Ellis Brooks explores how lessons on slavery can uncover powerful connections between past and present, from the transatlantic trade to modern exploitation, from Black Lives Matter to active citizenship. Read the full article in Teaching Citizenship, Issue 53, pp. 28-33: https://ow.ly/IGV350ZWSmb #AntiSlaveryDay #TeachingCitizenship #ModernSlavery #AntiRacism #BlackHistory

ACT welcomes greater attention to speaking and listening in education following Lucy Powell’s announcement on oracy in the curriculum. Citizenship helps pupils develop communication and oracy through informed discussion about democracy, rights and the law. They learn to assess evidence, explain their views and listen respectfully to others. From Key Stage 1 through to GCSE, pupils need regular opportunities within the taught Citizenship curriculum to use exploratory talk, active listening, critical thinking and deliberation. These approaches help them deepen their knowledge, explore and articulate ideas, and develop arguments. Regular practice must be supported by effective teaching and assessment so that all children make progress and develop as informed members of democratic society. The Enrichment Framework offers further opportunities through active citizenship projects and participation in school and community life. These experiences should build on regular Citizenship lessons. Curriculum time, trained teachers and accountability that supports Citizenship are essential to making these opportunities available to every pupil. Read our response and find resources to support teaching: https://ow.ly/ibem50ZYouh #CitizenshipEducation #Oracy #Curriculum #ActiveCitizenship

Yesterday, ACT’s Chief Executive Liz Moorse and Curriculum and Resources Manager Naomi Kennedy presented alongside Professor James Sloam from Royal Holloway, University of London, at the NECE Festival in Lisbon. Their workshop explored how Citizenship education can build trust and strengthen communities, bringing together research, policy and practical teaching approaches. Sharing ACT’s expertise on helping young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in democracy and make a difference in their communities. #CitizenshipEducation #NECEFestival2026 Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Our Money, Finance & the Economy Curriculum Briefing supports you to teach the financial elements of the Citizenship programme of study for KS3 and KS4. Perfect for planning lessons ahead of #TalkMoneyWeek! Download the briefing: https://ow.ly/vCPZ50ZWSxC

Helping students understand who makes decisions, from local councillors to Members of Parliament, is an important part of Citizenship education. Our Special Report in this week's First News edition explores how local and general elections work, what elected representatives do, and how young people can understand who to turn to about issues that matter to them. Read the full edition: https://ow.ly/CMte50ZXcwX #LocalElections #NationalElections #TeachingCitizenship

Why Economic and Financial Education (EFE) and why in Citizenship? As #TalkMoneyWeek approaches, we look back at this article in Issue 50 of Teaching Citizenship, which makes the case for embedding Economic and Financial Education (EFE) in Citizenship - where money, ethics, and democracy intersect. Research shows EFE is most effective when students connect financial learning to real-world social and political issues, from budgeting to understanding the economy’s role in shaping society. Pp. 6-7: https://ow.ly/UtfM50ZWSv8 #CitizenshipEducation #FinanceEducation