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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To laugh cynically at David Cameron's National Citizenship Award

9 replies

BerryGood · 13/10/2013 11:55

As I left the house yesterday the event hall by us had tons of teenagers thronging out of it clutching 'National Citizenship' Awards with David Cameron's signature on.

I regularly get the bus at the same time as the Local Comp kicks out, and I have no complaints generally as to behaviour. A few schools use the bus stop here as it's between two Secondaries which are within a five min walk to each. Most are helpfulish, move for buggies, let you on nicely and give a earful to their mates if they are too loud/ swear in front of kiddies. Standard really.

The bunch clutching these awards were a bloody nightmare. Over confident, loud, boorish and inconsiderate. Nearly flattened the three yr old getting on, refusing to give up seats to others in need (not me, though it's often nice to let the three year sit and not ping up and down the bus whilst I stop the pram rolling...), not moving out the buggy spot and just generally a selfish loud bunch. Not the type I'd be giving awards to. Dressed up to the nines. Slightly irritating every one of them was clutching an award to show what good citizens they are.

So does this award attract a certain type? Or is it coincidence? Similar number to after school so not a huge crush. It was a more affluent crowd on the face of things, not just the outfits but you could see hair/ make-up had some money thrown at it....

(disclaimer: obviously some lovely kids must do this award, but being more serious; does it attract as a whole a certain type. What the bloody hell is it?)

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 13/10/2013 11:58

Do you mean the course completion certificate for the National Citizenship scheme?

They're probably doing it because the school enrolls them in it.

BerryGood · 13/10/2013 12:00

I have no idea to be honest.
Each teenager had a certificate with 'National Citizenship Award' on it. They weren't I'd guess from the more local schools.

OP posts:
littlecrocodile · 13/10/2013 13:41

I work for one of the organisations that piloted the scheme a few years ago - one of the 'theories' of NCS is that each cohort includes young people from a wide range of backgrounds, different schools, interests etc so it wouldn't have been recruited for appropriately if it were a 'certain ( Hmm ) type'.

In my experience of the scheme its success can vary widely according to how well it is delivered, some groups achieve a great deal from it both personally and through impact on their communities, where the delivery organisation is less organised/committed it can be more patchy.

Custardo · 13/10/2013 13:42

tbh anything david cameron does is bullshit

meditrina · 13/10/2013 13:47

THe Tory party have indeed been vigorous supporters of this scheme.

But the pilots for it started in 2006.

AthelstaneTheUnready · 13/10/2013 13:54

I live in a very poor (overall) area and this scheme certainly isn't just for affluent kids or ones with money to chuck away.

I've worked on it, and genuinely cried at the difference in confidence and positivity in some of those poor little buggers who finished the course and were rightly proud of themselves for the first time in their lives.

MissMarplesBloomers · 13/10/2013 13:56

YABVVVVVU

We had a cohort recently who came to work on our rec, helping freshen up play equipment etc (totally outing myself now but....) they were enthusiastic, yes a little rowdy at times but the energy was directed effectively by their mentors & they were a joy to have around.

They were totally unimpressed by the DC certificate but thoroughly enjoyed the experience & learned loads, it killed 4 weeks of the holidays and they made new local friends as well as giving something back to their community. It also counts as a volunteering element for DOE & looks good on their PS for uni or CV for future.

My daughter has been in this years cohort too on a different project and she had a whale of a time & it boosted her confidence no end.

Don't tar all teens with the same brush.....they were probably all hyped up having had to sit still in an overcrowded room for the overlong ceremony!!

mewmeow · 13/10/2013 14:19

Hahaha custdo Grin hit the nail on the head there.

mewmeow · 13/10/2013 14:20

*custardo

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