GCSE CITIZENSHIP STUDIES — Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER: Citizenship in Action. All
Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J270/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Citizenship Studies May 2025 Citizenship in Action Paper (OCR J270/02) merges the
full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a structured and accessible revision
resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of practical citizenship, including community
involvement, active participation in political and social issues, problem-solving, advocacy, and the impact
of citizens’ actions on society. Candidates are expected to apply knowledge to case studies, evaluate
outcomes, and demonstrate critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills. By presenting
each question alongside its marking criteria, this merged resource clarifies examiner expectations,
highlights the evaluative and analytical skills required for high-band responses, and guides learners in
producing accurate, structured, and evidence-based answers. This integrated format supports effective
revision, strengthens practical citizenship understanding, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026
OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies Citizenship in Action examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
SECTION A
You should spend about 20 minutes on this section.
1 Study Source 1 and answer questions 1(a)–(d).
Source 1
Strengthening democracy
‘Government is stronger when it values outside expertise and listens to the public. Most
governments respond to public opinion only when there is considerable opposition and anger.
But by engaging with people sooner, governments can make better decisions.
A healthy democracy actively encourages participation from national and local organisations,
and members of the public. Too many decisions in recent years have shut down the ability
of people to take part and speak out. The next government should reverse this trend. They
should be more open to challenge and criticism.’
Adapted from ‘Charity Sector Manifesto’. National Council for Voluntary Organisations. 2023.
(a) State two risks to democracy mentioned in Source 1.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) State two ways in which parliament can help governments make better decisions.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) State two ways in which citizens can take part in democracy.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(d) Describe how to strengthen democracy in the United Kingdom (UK).
• Include two recommendations in your answer.
• These should be from Source 1 and your study of citizenship.
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. ................................................................................................................................................. [4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2 Study Source 2 and answer questions 2(a)–(e).
Source 2
Who is the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and what do they do?
Mrs Katy Bourne OBE was elected as Sussex PCC by the public to make the police
answerable to the communities they serve.
The PCC writes a Police and Crime Plan. This sets out the priorities for Sussex Police. It also
decides how much residents pay for policing in their council tax.
Mrs Bourne also has a legal duty to commission support services for victims of crime and to
deliver community safety initiatives, including restorative justice and crime reduction grants.
(In London the Metropolitan Police is governed jointly by the Mayor and the government’s
Home Office.)
Election Results for the Office of PCC (Sussex) 2021
First Second
Total
Candidate preference preference
votes
votes votes
Jamie Bennett (Liberal Democrats) 63 271 – 63 271
Kahina Bouhassane (Green Party) 60 781 – 60 781
Katy Bourne (Conservative) 214 523 30 287 244 810
Paul Richards (Labour and Co-operative
84 736 43 523 128 259
Party)
Roy Williams (Independent) 30 408 – 30 408
Rejected ballots – – 11 331
The voter turnout was 35.77%.
Adapted from the Sussex PCC website
© OCR 2025
Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J270/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Citizenship Studies May 2025 Citizenship in Action Paper (OCR J270/02) merges the
full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a structured and accessible revision
resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of practical citizenship, including community
involvement, active participation in political and social issues, problem-solving, advocacy, and the impact
of citizens’ actions on society. Candidates are expected to apply knowledge to case studies, evaluate
outcomes, and demonstrate critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills. By presenting
each question alongside its marking criteria, this merged resource clarifies examiner expectations,
highlights the evaluative and analytical skills required for high-band responses, and guides learners in
producing accurate, structured, and evidence-based answers. This integrated format supports effective
revision, strengthens practical citizenship understanding, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026
OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies Citizenship in Action examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
SECTION A
You should spend about 20 minutes on this section.
1 Study Source 1 and answer questions 1(a)–(d).
Source 1
Strengthening democracy
‘Government is stronger when it values outside expertise and listens to the public. Most
governments respond to public opinion only when there is considerable opposition and anger.
But by engaging with people sooner, governments can make better decisions.
A healthy democracy actively encourages participation from national and local organisations,
and members of the public. Too many decisions in recent years have shut down the ability
of people to take part and speak out. The next government should reverse this trend. They
should be more open to challenge and criticism.’
Adapted from ‘Charity Sector Manifesto’. National Council for Voluntary Organisations. 2023.
(a) State two risks to democracy mentioned in Source 1.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) State two ways in which parliament can help governments make better decisions.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) State two ways in which citizens can take part in democracy.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(d) Describe how to strengthen democracy in the United Kingdom (UK).
• Include two recommendations in your answer.
• These should be from Source 1 and your study of citizenship.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2 Study Source 2 and answer questions 2(a)–(e).
Source 2
Who is the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and what do they do?
Mrs Katy Bourne OBE was elected as Sussex PCC by the public to make the police
answerable to the communities they serve.
The PCC writes a Police and Crime Plan. This sets out the priorities for Sussex Police. It also
decides how much residents pay for policing in their council tax.
Mrs Bourne also has a legal duty to commission support services for victims of crime and to
deliver community safety initiatives, including restorative justice and crime reduction grants.
(In London the Metropolitan Police is governed jointly by the Mayor and the government’s
Home Office.)
Election Results for the Office of PCC (Sussex) 2021
First Second
Total
Candidate preference preference
votes
votes votes
Jamie Bennett (Liberal Democrats) 63 271 – 63 271
Kahina Bouhassane (Green Party) 60 781 – 60 781
Katy Bourne (Conservative) 214 523 30 287 244 810
Paul Richards (Labour and Co-operative
84 736 43 523 128 259
Party)
Roy Williams (Independent) 30 408 – 30 408
Rejected ballots – – 11 331
The voter turnout was 35.77%.
Adapted from the Sussex PCC website
© OCR 2025
