Citizenship StudiesQ&A by dot point

The powers of the devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and how relations are changing between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including views on devolution and independence.

Representative and direct democracy and their strengths and weaknesses, how the Westminster first-past-the-post system operates, who can and cannot vote, debates about the franchise, and first-past-the-post compared with proportional representation.

The process of forming a government including the role of the monarch, what happens when no single party can form a government and a coalition is formed, and the organisation of government into departments, ministries and agencies staffed by civil servants.

How a bill becomes law, including debate in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, scrutiny by committees, and royal assent.

The key philosophical differences between the major political parties standing in UK general elections, and how candidates are selected to stand for a constituency.

How direct and indirect taxes are raised by central government, the role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in budgeting and allocating public funding, and different views about provision for welfare, health, the care of the elderly and education.

The institutions of the British constitution, that the UK has an uncodified constitution and how it is changing through devolution and former EU membership, and parliamentary sovereignty, checks and balances and judicial review.

The distinction between executive, legislature, judiciary and monarchy, the roles of the Houses of Commons and Lords, and the roles of the prime minister, cabinet and ministers, the opposition, speaker, whips, frontbench and backbench MPs, Black Rod and an MP representing constituents.

The purposes of criminal law, used to protect the public from harm such as crimes against a person or property, and the purposes of civil law, to settle disputes such as debt, personal injury and family matters.

The types of criminal courts (magistrates court and crown court) and the cases they handle, the types of civil courts (county court and high court), and the use of tribunals and other means of civil dispute resolution such as mediation.

Factors affecting crime rates including the recording of crime and reoffending, strategies to reduce crime through prevention, protection and punishment, and the types and purposes of sentences such as prison, community payback and restorative justice.

The fundamental principles of law including the rule of law, the presumption of innocence, equality before the law and access to justice, the different legal systems in the UK, and the main sources of law: common law and legislation.

The roles and powers of the police, judges, magistrates and legal representatives, the roles of citizens such as jurors, magistrates and special constables, and the rights of citizens on arrest.

What law is and how it affects everyday life, why we need laws in society, and the ages at which we become legally responsible, including the age of criminal responsibility and why legal age limits exist.

The operation of the youth justice system and how and why youth courts differ from other courts.

The rights, duties and values that underpin democracy, the need for the rule of law and the balancing of freedoms, and the development of human rights from Magna Carta to the Universal Declaration, the European Convention and the Human Rights Act 1998.

How people's identities can be defined in various ways, the concept of multiple identities, and the impact on identity of the UK being made up of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The distinction between councillors and officers, the role of local councils in representing the community and the services they provide, and how councils are funded through council tax, business rates, government grants and charges.

The social, economic and other effects of immigration to the UK, the types and reasons for migration, and the sources of migration from 1945 to the present including Commonwealth countries and Europe.

What mutual respect means in practice, the effects of inequality and discrimination, the role of the Equality Act 2010, and the concepts of diversity, integration and community cohesion.

The changing composition of the UK population in terms of age, ethnicity, religion and disability, and what these changes mean for a diverse society.

The opportunities and barriers to citizen participation, the ways citizens contribute through direct and indirect action and hold power to account, how digital democracy and social media improve engagement, and key differences in participation between a democratic and a non-democratic political system.

The role of groups and organisations in providing a voice and support, how citizens working together attempt to improve communities, the role and origins of trade unions, and the rights of people in the workplace and how they are protected.

Balancing rights and responsibilities in conflict situations, the role of international law and international humanitarian law in limiting the effects of war on civilians, the role of non-governmental organisations, and the methods the UK can use in an international dispute including mediation, sanctions and force.

Why a free press is important in a democracy and the role of the media in informing the public and holding power to account, and the rights and responsibilities of the media, including accuracy, privacy, press regulation and reasons for censorship.

The different roles of the European Union and the Council of Europe, and how the UK's relationship with the EU has changed after Brexit as a result of decisions about migration, fishing, travel and trade.

The role of the United Nations and its agencies, NATO, the Commonwealth and the World Trade Organisation, and the UK's relations with these organisations including the benefits and commitments of membership.

How groups, individuals and those in power use the media to try to influence public opinion, including campaigns, social media and the framing of news.

Critically evaluating your learning and the impact of the action, including whether and why it achieved its aims, how well the method worked, and what you would do differently in future.

Representing your own and different points of view, planning the action by setting goals and success criteria and allocating roles, and applying skills of collaboration, negotiation and influence to deliver a campaign or social action project.

Identifying a citizenship issue, forming a team and carrying out initial research, including using secondary and primary research to investigate the issue and prepare for taking action.