How museums support Citizenship


  • Citizenship is part of the non-statutory Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship framework in Primary Schools.
  • It is compulsory in Secondary Schools, but is not an exam subject.
  • Citizenship gives pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in society as responsible citizens

Citizenship in secondary schools covers three big ideas:

  • Democracy and justice
  • Rights and responsibilities
  • Identities and diversity

It encourages critical thinking, advocacy and representation and taking informed and responsible action.

Citizenship as a subject is currently under review. The citizenship agenda however is also addressed beyond lessons through:

  • Student voice
  • Green initiatives such as “eco schools”
  • International links
  • Community engagement and charity work

What can museums do?

  • Schools often struggle to ensure Citizenship is delivered in an interesting way. They may value your help. Talk to local schools about what they do.
  • Many secondary schools have citizenship days off time-table. Ask if there are ways your museum could support those. “Campaign! make an impact” could offer one approach.
  • Help schools make cross-curricular links between citizenship and other subjects e.g. broker relationships between schools and evacuees or veterans linking history and citizenship.
  • As schools are expected to look at real life issues, examine your collections to see how they can be linked to current events.
  • If your museum has older volunteers why not “lend” them to schools for intergenerational work or insight into how your locality has changed over time.

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