Edexcel's GCSE short course in Citizenship Studies has been accredited for teaching from September 2002, for first examination in June 2003. As you know, the teaching of Citizenship at key stage 4 will be statutory in England from September 2002. We are pleased to announce that QCA has now accredited Edexcel's GCSE short course in Citizenship Studies. This specification was developed following extensive consultation with centres.

Key Features of the GCSE Short course in Citizenship Studies:

• Based on the Key Stage 4 Citizenship programme of study in the National Curriculum
• Builds on best practice in the teaching and learning of Citizenship in schools
• Approach based on lively and topical themes
• Structured to encourage students of all abilities
• Innovative, flexible internal assessment encourages the use of presentations, ICT, oral work
• Allows assessment of a compulsory part of the curriculum
• Both internally and externally assessed work can be based on a single Citizenship activity
• Linked to other areas of the curriculum, e.g. English, Geography, History, Religious Studies
• Provides opportunities to deliver Key Skills

Materials to centres
We will be despatching a copy of the specification and specimen paper for Citizenship Studies to centres later this term. Further printed copies of this specification will be available from our publication department early in May 2002.

Training support
We also have a comprehensive programme of free half-day meetings to introduce the new specification and to answer any questions that you may have.