Speaker’s Conference Report: Improving Citizenship education is a ‘priority’

The need to improve Citizenship provision from primary to post-16 was highlighted as a central priority in the Speaker’s Conference Second Report on the security of MPs, candidates and elections  published yesterday. Read the full report here.

The Committee, Chaired by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle MP calls for ‘effective Citizenship education in schools and targeted at the wider public’ as a key measure to tackle abuse of politicians. Other committee members include John Slinger MP who recently instigated a Westminster Hall debate on the importance of Citizenship education. The report highlights a lack of political literacy as one of the underlying causes of hostility towards politicians, and identifies strengthened Citizenship education as essential to rebuilding trust and understanding between the public and elected representatives.

ACT evidence helps shape key recommendations

Liz Moorse, Chief Executive of ACT, gave evidence to the Speaker’s Conference Committee in June, setting out how high-quality Citizenship education equips young people with the knowledge and understanding of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in addition to developing media and information literacy. Together, these empower students to engage in informed debate and to develop trust in democratic institutions and processes.

The report draws on a number of Liz’s contributions, emphasising:

• • The need to teach Citizenship education from KS1 to post-16 to nurture healthy attitudes to democracy and democratic processes from an early age
  • A programme of study that brings together political concepts and political competencies to motivate students to participate in democratic processes
  • The value of deliberative discussion, led by trained teachers who have access to clear impartiality guidelines
  • The chance for students to be engaged in decision making in their schools.

The report states the summary of findings from the evidence were shared with the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP in June to ensure their consideration as part of the ongoing curriculum review. The Department for Education confirmed that Citizenship education at both primary and secondary levels is being considered as part of the ongoing Curriculum and Assessment Review.

Citizenship education key to rebuilding trust

Among its key recommendations in regards to the role of education, the report calls for:

• • Strengthened Citizenship education as a core element of any strategy to address the abuse, harassment and intimidation of politicians
  • The Curriculum and Assessment Review to embed a robust Citizenship curriculum from primary through to post-16 that builds knowledge and understanding of democracy, human rights and the rule of law
  • A focus on the development of critical and analytical thinking, and on real-world deliberation and debate that reflect the complexities of policymaking
  • High-quality training and support for teachers to deliver Citizenship confidently, effectively and impartially.

The report also highlights the need for MPs to engage more actively with young people in their constituencies, supporting schools in delivering engaging Citizenship education and helping to rebuild trust in political institutions. 

A crucial moment for the curriculum

These findings come at a critical moment for the future of Citizenship education, as we await the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Independent Panel Report. Its outcomes will play a vital role in shaping how Citizenship continues to empower young people to participate confidently and responsibly in our democracy.