(lesson plans and other resources included here are provided by Susan Whitla, PGCE student 2003-2004, University of Ulster, School of Education) Art has a long history of taking an active and critical look at society; communicating ideas, commenting and aspiring to social change. From Picasso’s Guernica to the photographic images of the Vietnam War, the …
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What is the relationship between the Citizenship programme in Northern Ireland and Community Relations? Hartop et al’s (2005) definition helps here. As can be seen, one way to think about this is to view community relations as the “local” part of “Local and Global Citizenship”… “With regard to school-based community relations, we understand this to …
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Document Author and Details Type Classrooms as Learning Communities: What’s in It for Schools? Chris Watkins (2005)Available from: Taylor & Francis Group Ltd 2 Park Square Milton Park Abingdon Oxford OX14 4RN UK Community Capacity Building Programme North Belfast Developing Leadership Initiative Contested Spaces Gaslight Productions Epilogues: A multimedia exploration of the underlying causes of …
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Education should give pupils the chance to exercise real responsibility and to make an impact on their school and Community. Citizenship teaching, building on the curriculum, has the power to transform the lives of pupils in areas that many people have written off. David Blunkett, 2000 Northern Ireland Education for Reconciliation Project Education for Reconciliation …
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The characteristics of teachers likely to be successful in mediating a citizenship curriculum include those who have: Basic training in rights and responsibilities An interdisciplinary awareness of social, cultural, civic, political, legal, economic, environmental, historical and contemporary affairs Dispositions to inter-disciplinary learning Commitment to inquiry -based learning Skill in facilitating experiential learning Ability to draw …
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Useful Documents Gerry Jeffers (2004) Civic, Social and Political education (CSPE) Gerry Jeffers (2004) Introducing Citizenship Gerry Jeffers (2004) Junior Certificate Syllabus (outline) See also: http://www.slss.ie/

The meaning of education for citizenship runs very hollow when used outside a broader analysis of what’s going on in the school system and society generally.

Improving School Effectiveness for Democratic Citizenship: Six Principles [121 Kb]

Educators are increasingly aware of the importance of involving parents in the education of their children. Research shows that parent involvement improves student achievement. When parents are involved, children do better in school. Parental encouragement and assistance contribute to students’ higher achievement, better attitudes and higher aspirations. Why not try to develop an interactive home …
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The Chief Inspector of the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in Northern Ireland recently indicated that the Inspectorate was going to continue to promote self-evaluation and self-improvement as an important lever for school improvement and whole-school development. School self-evaluation is an approach to organisational improvement that places learning and dialogue at the heart of matters. …
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