What does it mean to be a citizen?

Citizenship is about how we live together: the communities we belong to, how decisions get made, and how each of us can make a difference.

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Citizens and communities

A citizen is a member of a country, with rights it protects and responsibilities to it.
We also belong to many communities: groups of people who share something, such as a place (your street, town or school), a faith, a sport or an interest.
Most people belong to several communities at once.

Identity

Your identity is who you are and how you see yourself. It can include your family, where you live, your languages, your beliefs and your hobbies.
The UK is a diverse country: people have many different backgrounds, faiths and ways of life.
The UK is made up of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Shared values

Schools in England are expected to promote four fundamental British values:
democracy; the rule of law; individual liberty; and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
These values help people with different views live together peacefully and settle disagreements fairly.
Worked example

Amira is in her school's netball team, goes to her local mosque and lives in Leeds. Name three communities she belongs to.

  1. A community is a group of people who share something.
  2. Her netball team shares a sport; her mosque shares a faith; Leeds is a shared place.
  3. So she belongs to at least three communities at once.

Answer: Her netball team, her mosque (faith community) and her local community in Leeds.

Key idea

A citizen has rights and responsibilities. We all belong to several communities and have our own identity. The fundamental British values are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance.

Key words
Citizen
A member of a country who has rights it protects and responsibilities in return.
Identity
Who you are and how you see yourself, including family, beliefs, languages and interests.
Democracy
Rule by the people, usually by electing representatives in free and fair elections.
Rule of law
The principle that everyone, including the government, must obey the law, and the law applies equally to all.
Liberty
Freedom, especially the freedom to act and speak without unfair control by the state.
Interest
Money paid for the use of money: savers earn it, borrowers pay it. Shown as a percentage per year.

All KS3 Citizenship key terms and definitions →

Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. Which of these best describes a community?

    1. People linked by something they share, such as where they live or what they believe
    2. One person living alone
    3. A single building such as a town hall
    4. A set of rules made by Parliament
    Show the answer

    Answer: People linked by something they share, such as where they live or what they believe

    A community is a group of people who share a place, a faith, an interest or an activity.

  2. Which of these is one of the four nations of the UK?

    1. France
    2. Wales
    3. The Republic of Ireland
    4. Iceland
    Show the answer

    Answer: Wales

    The four nations of the UK are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 23 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.