Guidance

GCSE subject-level conditions and requirements for citizenship studies (2022)

Published 11 November 2021

Applies to England

Introduction

About this document

This document is part of a suite of documents which sets out the regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in 2022.

We have developed these requirements with the intention that GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) should provide:

• evidence of students’ achievements against demanding and fulfilling content
• a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for employment
• a basis for schools and colleges to be held accountable for the performance of all of their students, if required

Requirements set out in this document

This document sets out the GCSE Subject Level Conditions for Citizenship Studies (2022). These conditions will come into effect at 09:30 on 12 November 2021 for all GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in Citizenship Studies for Learners completing the qualification in 2022, except where the General Qualifications Alternative Awarding Framework applies.

It also sets out our requirements in relation to assessment objectives for GCSE qualifications in Citizenship Studies. Awarding organisations must comply with these requirements under Condition GCSE(Citizenship Studies)1.2.

With respect to GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in Citizenship Studies in 2022, awarding organisations must also comply with:

• our General Conditions of Recognition, which apply to all awarding organisations and qualifications
• our GCSE Qualification Level Conditions
• all relevant Regulatory Documents

With respect to GCSE qualifications in Citizenship Studies taken by Learners completing the qualification in 2023 and after, an awarding organisation must continue to comply with the GCSE Subject Level Conditions and Requirements for Citizenship Studies.

Subject Level Conditions

GCSE Subject Level Conditions for Citizenship Studies

Condition GCSE(Citizenship Studies) 1: Compliance with content requirements

GCSE(Citizenship Studies)1.1

In respect of each GCSE Qualification in Citizenship Studies which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must -

1. (a) comply with the requirements relating to that qualification set out in the document published by the Secretary of State entitled ‘Citizenship Studies GCSE subject content’, document reference DFE-00037-2015,
2. (b) have regard to any recommendations or guidelines relating to that qualification set out in that document, and
3. (c) interpret that document in accordance with any requirements, and having regard to any guidance, which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

GCSE(Citizenship Studies)1.2

In respect of each GCSE Qualification in Citizenship Studies which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must comply with any requirements, and have regard to any guidance, relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for that qualification which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

Condition GCSE(Citizenship Studies) 2: Assessment

GCSE(Citizenship Studies)2.1

An awarding organisation must ensure that in respect of each assessment for a GCSE Qualification in Citizenship Studies which it makes available it complies with any requirements, and has regard to any guidance, which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

Condition GCSE(Citizenship Studies) 3: Evidence of citizenship action

GCSE(Citizenship Studies)3.1

In respect of each assessment cycle for a GCSE qualification in Citizenship Studies which it makes available, which is not a short course qualification, an awarding organisation must -

1. (a) require each Centre to provide a citizenship action statement to the awarding organisation, and
2. (b) treat any failure by a Centre to provide a citizenship action statement to the awarding organisation in a timely manner as malpractice and/or maladministration (under General Condition A8 (Malpractice and maladministration)).

GCSE(Citizenship Studies)3.2

For the purposes of this condition -

1. (a) a ‘citizenship action statement’ is a true and accurate written statement made by a Centre to an awarding organisation which confirms that the Centre has taken reasonable steps to secure that each Learner to which that Centre has delivered the assessments to be taken in a particular assessment cycle for a GCSE qualification in Citizenship Studies which the awarding organisation makes available has undertaken citizenship action, and
2. (b) ‘citizenship action’ is action which meets the requirements set out in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the document published by the Secretary of State entitled ‘Citizenship Studies GCSE subject content’, document reference DFE-00037-2015.

GCSE(Citizenship Studies)3.3

An awarding organisation must provide effective guidance to Centres on how Learners may undertake citizenship action in the context of relevant public health requirements.

Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives - GCSE Qualifications in Citizenship Studies

Condition GCSE(Citizenship Studies)1.2 allows us to specify requirements relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for GCSE Qualifications in Citizenship Studies.

The assessment objectives set out below constitute requirements for the purposes of Condition GCSE(Citizenship Studies)1.2. Awarding organisations must comply with these requirements in relation to all GCSE Qualifications in Citizenship Studies they make available or propose to make available.

Assessment objective	Description	Weighting
AO1	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of citizenship concepts, terms and issues.	30%
AO2	Apply knowledge and understanding of citizenship concepts, terms and issues to contexts and actions.	30%
AO3	Analyse and evaluate a range of evidence relating to citizenship issues, debates and actions, including different viewpoints, to develop reasoned, coherent arguments and make substantiated judgements.	40%