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We're hiring 2 Charity Administrators!

Are you passionate about helping to engage, educate and empower children and young people to be active citizens? Do you have top-notch organisational skills and a knack for problem solving? Maybe you are an event-planning wizard…. If so, we’d love to hear from you. Closing date: 12pm on Thursday 5th August, Interviews 12th August.
Applying SMSC Education within an Outstanding Infant School

Acting Head of Wickford CofE School in Essex, Rebecca Tarplett, shares her reflections on how the school prioritises the Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural development of its young learners. Read how they achieved Gold in their recent verification.
Mock Trials provide transferrable skills irrespective of career choice

Adam Diouri, a former Mackie Academy student in Aberdeenshire, shares his experiences and the benefits of his participation in Young Citizens' Mock Trial Competitions. Read Adam's story...
Young Citizens appoints new Chief Executive

Young Citizens is delighted to have appointed Ashley Hodges as its fifth CEO. Ms. Hodges has a background in politics and community action and is excited to lead the charity through its next phase of growth. Read more...

Applying SMSC Education within an Outstanding Infant School

Acting Head of Wickford CofE School in Essex, Rebecca Tarplett, shares her reflections on how the school prioritises the Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural development of its young learners. Read how they achieved Gold in their recent verification.
Mock Trials provide transferrable skills irrespective of career choice

Adam Diouri, a former Mackie Academy student in Aberdeenshire, shares his experiences and the benefits of his participation in Young Citizens' Mock Trial Competitions. Read Adam's story...
5 tips to make a SMSC Quality Mark virtual verification even more successful

John Rees, expert verifier of The National SMSC Quality Mark, shares his top tips for ensuring virtual verifications are just as productive and satisfying for both parties. Read his guest blog here...
Democracy or Trade in the age of Globalisation?

Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now, shares his take on the tension between globalisation and citizenship. Nick covers how trade deals are struck and the implications on successive Governments and generations of voters.
Why there must be a transformation of youth political engagement in the post-COVID era.

George Bolton, a current MA student at the University of Manchester describes why young people should get involved in political engagement now more than ever and how it can bring real, lasting benefits to their lives.
‘Living and breathing’: Breadth and Depth in SMSC Education

The former Assistant Vice Principal from Kingswood Secondary Academy shares her experience of the National SMSC Quality Mark for benchmarking their SMSC provision and creating an action plan to embed further deep-rooted change.
In Defence of the Magistracy by the Secret Magistrate

The Secret Magistrate is an inner-city magistrate who has sat on the bench for several years, and who has strong views on the role of magistrates within the Criminal Justice System. Check out their guest blog...
Catch-up, Recovery and the Water-cooler Moments of Childhood

In a fascinating blog, our former CEO Tony Breslin writes for us about how the pandemic is causing a re-evaluation of the role of schools in the lives of young people - a role that goes far beyond being narrowly educational.
Developing a Curriculum Response to the Pandemic

When pupils returned to school in September following the initial COVID lockdown we decided to dedicate a significant amount of the autumn term to PSHE. In this blog I share our school's experiences and our responses that included adopting Go-Givers.
The US Capitol insurrection is a wake-up call on the need for citizenship education

Our CEO gives some personal reflections on recent events in the US, and why he believes they should act as a huge wake-up call for the the fragility of our own democracy.

British values
Importance of citizenship education
7. The importance of citizenship education
Free SMSC Resource for Key Stage 2

Would you like a free lesson to help you develop KS2 children's SMSC learning? This trial pack of lessons from our Go-Givers website contains the lessons "Democracy" and "Protecting Local Habitats".
Mock Trials

The Mock Trials are an effective and fun way of helping young people understand how the judicial system works. Learn how you can get involved...
Go-Givers Free Trial Pack

Would you like a free trial pack of lessons to support pupils' SMSC learning? This trial pack of lessons from our Go-Givers website contains the lessons "Plastic Pollution" and "Taking Responsibility" for KS1 children and the lessons "Democracy" and "Protecting Local Habitats" for KS2 children.
Why teach citizenship?
Lowering the voting age to 16

Here, we give teachers a little support for debating the topic in class with students. Do young people of this age know enough about politics yet? And if they could vote, can they be trusted to do it sensibly?
Free subscriptions to Go-Givers for 20/21 academic year

Young Citizens invites UK primary school teachers to champion the importance of SMSC, Citizenship, PSHE and Relationships Education with a Pears Foundation supported free subscription to Go-Givers.
Introduction

We are an education charity that inspires young people to play an active role in society. Find out more...

I’ve just got my money back via a ‘Small Claims Court’. Would young people know they can do that?

Our CEO tells of his own recent experience of using the law to protect his rights, and explains why basic legal understanding is vitally important for all young people, if they're to be confident young citizens. Read more