Citizenship (Hansard, 19 April 2004)

§ Bob Russell
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the citizenship curriculum includes the teaching of(a) the words of the National Anthem and (b) knowledge of the flags and patron saints of the nations of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [165334]

§ Mr. Stephen Twigg
The flags, patron saints and the national anthem of the United Kingdom are not a separate element of the Citizenship National Curriculum. However, understanding the origins and implications of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom is an important part of the Citizenship curriculum, which became statutory for 11–16 year olds in September 2002. In this context pupils have the opportunity to explore the unique qualities that are part of the shared identities of the countries of the United Kingdom. They may consider the political, religious, social and constitutional systems that affect their lives and communities.

§ Mr. Woodward
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many advanced skills teachers for citizenship have been recruited(a) in total and (b) in St. Helens, South; [165331]
(2) how many specialist citizenship teachers have been recruited in (a) England and (b) St. Helens, South in each of the last three years; [165336]
(3) how much has been made available to (a) enable schools to buy resources and (b) train teachers for the teaching of citizenship in each of the last three years. [165337]

§ Mr. Stephen Twigg
There are currently 60 citizenship Advanced Skills Teachers. Eight of these are based in the North West Govornment Office Region, though none specifically in St. Helens, South. Around 400 individuals have completed initial teacher training for citizenship education since 2002 and this will rise to around 600 at the end of the 2003/04 academic year. The Department does not hold records on appointments of Newly Qualified Teachers.
£15 million was made available to schools to support citizenship and personal, social and health education in 2001–02. Since 2002–03 schools have decided how much to spend from their total budgets to support citizenship. Schools are able to spend this in the way that best met their needs, including spending on teachers' professional development. Since the financial year 2000–01 the Department has spent £3 million to support the development of a range of resources and activities for citizenship education, many of which have been made available to schools free of charge.