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KS3 Citizenship Curriculum (England)

The whole key stage 3 citizenship programme of study from the national curriculum in England, with statutory and non-statutory parts clearly marked. Tick statements to plan a lesson.

Years
Year 7, Year 8, Year 9
Ages
11–14
Statutory statements
6
Source
National curriculum in England: citizenship
Last checked
2026-10-20

Current. The government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review (Nov 2025) says a revised national curriculum will be published by spring 2027 for first teaching from September 2028.

Teaching one year group? Open its TIP: Year 7 Citizenship · Year 8 Citizenship · Year 9 Citizenship.

Key stage 3 6 statutory statements

Introduction to Key stage 3 (official text)

Teaching should develop pupils’ understanding of democracy, government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Pupils should use and apply their knowledge and understanding while developing skills to research and interrogate evidence, debate and evaluate viewpoints, present reasoned arguments and take informed action.

Pupils should be taught about:

Key stage 3 Statutory

Pupils should be taught about:

  • the development of the political system of democratic government in the United Kingdom, including the roles of citizens, Parliament and the monarch
  • the operation of Parliament, including voting and elections, and the role of political parties
  • the precious liberties enjoyed by the citizens of the United Kingdom
  • the nature of rules and laws and the justice system, including the role of the police and the operation of courts and tribunals
  • the roles played by public institutions and voluntary groups in society, and the ways in which citizens work together to improve their communities, including opportunities to participate in school-based activities
  • the functions and uses of money, the importance and practice of budgeting, and managing risk

Read the programme of study on GOV.UK

More

Key stage 3 overviewAll subjects, tests and dates for KS3.KS4 CitizenshipKey stage 4 programme of study.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, National curriculum in England: citizenship programmes of study for key stages 3 and 4 (GOV.UK), © Crown copyright.

Statements in the curriculum lists are copied word for word from GOV.UK; everything else on this page (headings, notes, summaries) is written by us. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education or the Standards and Testing Agency. Always check the official documents linked on this page.

Questions teachers ask

What is in the KS3 citizenship curriculum?

6 statutory statements in 1 section. Schools must teach the statutory content by the end of the key stage.