April 2026 Citizenship subject update

We’re excited to share details of an upcoming online event designed to support teachers delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies.

The online event is intended to support teachers who are delivering Pearson Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies and would like training to support their understanding of Theme E: Taking Citizenship Action.

30 June 2026 at 16:00-17:00 BST

Book your place 

As we look ahead to curriculum and assessment reform, we really want to hear directly from those teaching GCSE Citizenship day in, day out.

We’ve created a short survey to give centres the chance to share their views.

Your feedback will play an important role in making sure centre voices are heard as future thinking develops.

If you can spare just a few minutes, we’d be very grateful if you could take part.

GCSE Citizenship Curriculum and Assessment Review - Feedback Survey

As we start to gear up for the GCSE Citizenship exams this summer, I thought it would be useful to remind you of the exam question overviews that we have available to support.  

Exam Question Overviews

Available for each paper, collating all past exam questions. 

*You will need your Edexcel Online login to access these as it includes the most recent exam materials.

‘Citizenship Studies in the News’ aims to stimulate discussion for GCSE Citizenship Studies by considering contemporary issues and their relevance to our lives.

We have compiled a range of current news articles* and linked these to the key questions, explored in themes A-D of the specification. You may wish to investigate and integrate into your teaching practice to help contextualise key issues and bring the subject to life!

Edition 18 includes the following articles:

• Theme A: Article is from BBC News. Video is from The Metro. Both provide a recap of the case made by the late Tony Nicklinson. 
• Theme B: Article 1 is from TheiPaper. Article 2 is from The Guardian. These articles explore the Assisted Dying Bill.
• Theme C: Article is from The Financial Times and explores the case of assisted dying. 
• Theme D: Article 1 is from The New York Times. Article 2 is from The Economic Times. Both articles report on the confilct within the Middle East and raises questions concerning the power and influence that the UK has on the wider world. It also asks questions about the role of NATO and the UN, and the relationship of the UK with the USA.

Content Warning: the Theme A-C articles mention terminal illness, end of life care and assisted dying. 
Theme D articles discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We know the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to affect students, families and centres in very real ways. This page brings together the latest guidance and support available for students whose learning and assessments have been disrupted, with any new updates added here as the situation continues to evolve.

Edition 18 

Ofqual has published a new blog highlighting the importance of open, honest conversations with students about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in coursework.

AI tools are now part of everyday life for many young people. But it’s important that students understand where the boundaries are. Using AI to generate coursework without proper disclosure is cheating, and the consequences can be serious - including the loss of a qualification.

The blog is designed to help you start those conversations with confidence. It includes:

• A ready‑to‑use lesson plan to support classroom discussion about AI and assessed work.
• A senior leadership team briefing pack to help schools and colleges develop a clear, whole‑school approach to AI in coursework.

Talking to students about AI in coursework

Together, these resources can help ensure students are informed, supported and clear about expectations - before assessment pressures begin.

We know many of our centres and students use the UCAS application service, when applying to Higher Education in the UK. We wanted to let you know that UCAS are currently consulting on the operation of the UCAS undergraduate admissions cycle, including:

• the number of initial choices a student can make
• the firm and insurance choice
• application deadlines, including the early (October) deadline and January Equal Consideration Date. 

This is an opportunity for you to have your say. You can find out further details about the consultation and respond on the UCAS website. The deadline to respond is 18:00 (UK time) on 22 April 2026.

UCAS admissions consultation: dates, deadlines, and choices | UCAS

We wanted to remind you of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE revision resources available for Citizenship. The GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide and Workbook offers clear, specification‑focused support to help students consolidate understanding and prepare confidently for assessment.

View Pearson 'Revise' Resources 

Our qualifications are also supported by resources produced by a range of other publishers. You don't have to purchase any resources, including those from Pearson, to deliver our qualifications. 

We are looking for specialists who are able to mark GCSE Citizenship Studies.

This is an invaluable opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the subject area and assessment process, building your confidence as a teacher and assessor.

Vacancy details and application

The event will bring together teachers, school leaders and Citizenship educators from across the country to share best-practice, proven classroom strategies, and insights on the policy changes shaping Citizenship

The full programme and booking details will be released closer to the event. 

3 July 2026 at the V&A, South Kensington.

Find out more about this year's conference