Citizenship Department

Learning to take part

Citizenship is the one subject that is meant to change what you do, not just what you know. That is why “Deeds, not words” fits so well. The department we plan will explain how communities, laws and governments work, then give learners safe, practical ways to get involved.

How it works – in both countries

Because Classfern serves the UK and the US, the plan compares the two systems side by side: Parliament and Congress, a monarch and a president, councils and city halls, and how laws are made, challenged and changed. Interactive diagrams will let learners follow a bill from idea to law in each country, with questions Marked by Classfern at every step.

By age

• Reception to Year 2: fairness, rules, sharing and helping in the classroom and community.
• Years 3–9: rights and responsibilities, voting in a class election, money basics and how local services are paid for.
• Years 10–13: the justice system, elections and parties explained neutrally, the media, spotting misinformation and running a community project.
• Adults and university students: a plain-English guide to the system for new residents and first-time voters.

Debate without the shouting

We plan a debate kit with balanced arguments on everyday questions – should homework be banned? should schools start later? – and a structure for listening as well as speaking. Contributions will be Judged by a teacher or parent (rubric), and community projects recorded as Evidence kept at home. Classfern will never tell learners what to think about politics; it will show them how to weigh evidence and disagree with respect.

Money and the community

Being a citizen also means managing everyday money and knowing where to turn for help. We plan simple budgeting challenges, a guide to how taxes pay for roads, libraries and schools, and a map of local services that learners fill in for their own area.

Mrs Pankhurst, who would not wait

Emmeline Pankhurst spent years asking politely for women to be given the vote before deciding that asking was not enough. Her campaign divided opinion then and still prompts debate today, which makes her a good guide for a subject about how change happens. Our Mrs Pankhurst is determined, fair-minded and very good at organising a meeting.

Playing together in Music

In our flagship Music Department, a whole class can perform a tune together from one screen, each player on a part that suits them. That spirit of everyone taking part, whatever their starting point, is exactly what we want for debates, votes and community projects. No sign-up is needed there, and nothing personal is collected.

Deeds, not words – so here is ours

The plan is ready, and we would rather build it than describe it. That needs funding. Teachers of citizenship, civics or social studies who want to help shape it are warmly invited to get in touch.