Avoid confusing citizenship education with history here. True CE requires a contemporary context - the development of skills, as well as knowledge and understanding, needs to be identified as CE with pupils, and must be the driving force of the lesson or project. Consequently, historical data can be used, but with an aim that relates to the CE PoS. Links might be made with 1g, 1i, as well as sections 2 and 3 at key stage 3.
KS3
Using VE Day to explore 1g: “the importance of resolving conflict fairly”, ask pupils to consider what “fair conflict resolution” might mean, and use examples to challenge thinking. Using a chart or wall display explore types, causes and solutions to conflicts that may occur in schools, families, communities, nations and the world. What might make resolution fair?
Once ideas and concepts have emerged, test them by seeing if they apply to the end of hostilities in Europe. Does VE Day and its aftermath indicate that war can be resolved fairly? For example, consider the 20,000 collaborators shot in France after the ceasefire; was this revenge or justice? Has VE Day got anything to teach us about conflict resolution 60 years on?
