The Potential of History within the School Curriculum in England for Developing and Enhancing the Understanding of being a Citizen in the Twenty-First Century, with an Emphasis on the Later Primary Experience and the Start of Secondary Education

Abstract

The aim behind this research was to investigate how pupils in an English middle school between the ages of 9 and 12 were beginning to understand the term ‘Citizenship’ within the context of their taught History sessions. The authors were keen to not only elicit their views and understanding, but also to see what patterns and issues were emerging which shed some light on how the teaching of Citizenship through History, in particular, was impacting on their perceptions. This was a particularly pertinent time to undertake the study given that the curriculum for schools in England was being reviewed by the Government at the same time. Therefore, through some exploration of the historical background, a clear methodological approach, and use of quantitative and some qualitative analysis, the authors have sought to show some of the possibilities, as well as some of the difficulties, of addressing the concept of ‘Citizenship’.