Guidance

National Citizen Service (NCS): guidance for schools and colleges

How to use NCS in a school or college to help develop students' skills and confidence.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 8 November 2017
• Last updated: 30 November 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

National Citizen Service: guidance for schools and colleges

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This guidance is for school leaders, staff and governing bodies or trusts of:

• maintained schools
• academies and free schools
• independent schools
• sixth-form colleges
• pupil referral units
• alternative provision academies

It sets out how NCS participation can benefit a school or college, providing measurable evidence for Ofsted of the broader personal development support it is offering young people to:

• become both world-ready and work-ready
• achieve greater confidence, resilience and wellbeing
• have respect and tolerance for difference and diversity

Published 8 November 2017
Last updated 30 November 2023 + show all updates

1. 30 November 2023

   'Active citizenship in the curriculum' section was added.

2. 9 October 2023

   Replaced 'National Citizen Service: guidance for schools and colleges' with a new version reflecting the NCS strategy for 2023 to 2025.

3. 8 November 2017

   First published.