Charities and the National Curriculum

Exploring the Significance of Teaching Children about Charities

To provide a well-rounded education, it is crucial for children to comprehend the importance of charities and the substantial charitable contributions in the UK. Let's put this into perspective...

The total annual income of UK charities stands at approximately £89 billion, surpassing the entire government budget for education. To simplify, this sum equals the combined budgets for Defence, Local Government, and Transport. To make it more relatable for children, they can be informed that individuals in the UK contribute an average of over £1,300 to charities each year.

Understanding the scale of charities becomes imperative for children to grasp their role in our society.

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Integration of Charities in Various Curriculum Subjects

Charities are addressed across all key stages - KS1, KS2, KS3, and GCSE. While there's an explicit requirement to study charities in Citizenship during KS3 and various GCSE subjects, encounters with not-for-profit organizations occur organically in discussions throughout a child's school life.

At Education Quizzes, we categorize the analysis of charities under the Specialist section of our website - see UK Charities - offering quizzes on significant UK charities.

Charities in Citizenship Curriculums

Citizenship education offers a direct avenue for studying charities, with a statutory requirement at the KS3 level. Pupils explore public institutions, voluntary groups, community improvement initiatives, and the significance of civic participation. Charities are often presented as real-world examples of active citizenship.

Charities in English Curriculums

Across all key stages, literature and non-fiction texts may involve themes related to charitable acts, social justice, or the impact of philanthropy. These texts serve as platforms for discussions on the role and impact of charities in society.

Charities in History Curriculums

History teaching, a statutory requirement from KS1 to KS3, often incorporates discussions on the evolution and impact of notable charities. For instance, philanthropic efforts during the Industrial Revolution or charities' roles during wartime.

At the GCSE level, students may encounter charities in areas such as:

• Social History: The roles played by philanthropists addressing poverty, health, and education
• War and Conflict: Relief provided during conflicts and post-war reconstruction, with a focus on organizations like the Red Cross
• Global History: Non-governmental organizations addressing crises, poverty, health, and education
• 20th Century British History: Charities shaping public opinion, influencing policies, and providing services

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Charities in Religious Education

Religious Education (RE), a statutory requirement across all key stages, explores the religious foundations of charitable actions. Concepts like 'Zakat' in Islam, 'Tzedakah' in Judaism, or Christian acts of charity are examined, along with the network of faith-based charities.

Charities in Science and Environmental Studies

Charities like the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) align with science or geography courses, offering resources related to conservation, biodiversity, and environmental protection.

Charities in PSHE

While Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) is not statutory, various subjects within it touch upon charity work, covering relationships, sex education, community engagement, health, and well-being.

The Integral Role of Charities in a Comprehensive Education

The National Curriculum aims to foster holistic character development alongside academic knowledge. Charities are pivotal in this process, instilling values of empathy, altruism, and social responsibility. Fundraising events like Comic Relief or Children in Need held in schools provide tangible experiences of community engagement and charity.

Engaging with Charity Quizzes

Aside from school activities, children are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities. Local and national charities play a crucial role in introducing students to community engagement, compassion, and responsibility. On our UK Charities page, quick quizzes offer an interesting introduction to various non-profit and voluntary organizations, allowing children to learn key facts about their favourites.

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