HC Deb 22 November 2001 vol 375 cc450-1W
12. Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what preparations remain to be completed prior to the introduction of citizenship as a curriculum subject. [14642]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

Detailed guidance for Citizenship for 11–14 year olds has been circulated to all secondary schools; a new website including an on-line training package for teachers was launched in October; nine regional training events for teachers took place this spring. The first cohort of Citizenship PGCE students started their courses in September; and OFSTED inspection guidance for secondary schools will be published next year.

Guidance for 14–16 year olds will also be published in summer 2002. This will be followed soon after by guidance for primary schools. Guidance on assessment in primary schools will be published in summer 2002. Awarding bodies are also developing specifications for the new GCSE (short course) in Citizenship Studies for teaching to start in September 2002.

We will, of course, monitor any additional support schools may need following the introduction of Citizenship next September.