Citizenship through History

History as a subject can support the teaching of Citizenship in several ways. Firstly, there is considerable overlap between the content of the two subjects as set out in National Curriculum programmes of study. Meaningful debates around topical issues of Citizenship content such as human right, diversity, systems of government and conflict resolutions soften have their roots firmly set in the context of the past. Both subjects can be enriched when their links and continuations are made explicit. Current issues can be understood at a much deeper level if students also understand aspects of its history.

Secondly, the skills of history as set out in the National Curriculum orders and at GCSE strongly overlap and support those of Citizenship. For example the Citizenship skills of enquiry and communication are mirrored by the historical skills of enquiry and interpretation. Best practice of such skills in History classrooms, which have been developed in contested ways over many years can enhance and deepen student experience in Citizenship. Creative combinations of two subjects together with frequent links made across them in terms of both content and skills has the potential to strengthen the whole school curriculum.

We would like to thank the History Association for their help http://www.history.org.uk/