Asking questions about participation

We raise questions about young people's participation in light of findings from a project ('Democracy through Citizenship') funded by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Limited, and managed by the Institute for Citizenship. Following a six-month feasibility study the project took place over a three-year period in one local authority in the north of England, finishing in 2005. We sketch the context relevant to the development, generally, of citizenship education in England and, more particularly, the precise approach to the teaching and learning of democracy desired by key personnel within the project. We outline the research methods that were used to collect and analyse data during the project. By drawing from case studies of project activities we ask questions about young people and participation within and beyond schools.