Overview
Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and online can cause anxieties and increase aggressive behaviour, as children role play war games and toy gunfights. Groups denigrated in the tabloid press provide young people with the…
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Teaching Controversial Issues
This training pack is a professional development programme for teachers, which is designed to support and promote the teaching...
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s levels of learning with associated questioning verbs and exemplar questions. To access this content, register for our Primary School Subscription.
What is a Political Party?
This resource pack is the fourth of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the concept of democracy. Each pack can be delivered independently of each…
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My Community
During this lesson pupils consider what we mean by the word community and are challenged to think about all the different community groups they belong to and how it feels…
Identities
In this lesson pupils will develop an understanding of what is meant by the term ‘identity.’ They will explore their own sense of identity and share this with others, appreciating…
Taking Responsibility (assembly)
During this assembly pupils consider what the word responsibility means. You can find the ‘Taking responsibility’ lesson plan on the KS1 lesson page. The PowerPoint for the lesson is the…
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Filter Bubbles: Tell Me What I Want To Hear
A “filter bubble” describes how algorithms limit and skew the information users see on the internet. In this lesson, students will learn about the impact that filter bubbles might have…
What is Media Bias?
During this lesson students explore what bias within the media is and how it differs from fake news. They consider the impact bias can have on individuals and society and…
Sexting and the Law (SmartLaw Subscription)
This lesson explores what the law says in relation to the sending of sexually explicit images by those aged under 18. The lesson examines two scenarios of young people involved…
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We Stand up for Others (poster)
We are always willing to help others and to speak up for people who struggle to make their voices heard. To access this content, register for our Primary School Subscription.
I Am Unique
This lesson focuses on celebrating diversity and respecting differences. During the lesson pupils will gain an understanding of what it means to be unique through participating in a range of…
Brexit: Part 1 – Referendum
Pupils will be given a brief introduction to the European Union. They will learn about why people’s opinions about the EU are divided and the results of the EU referendum.…
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Money – Wants and Needs
Pupils will consider the difference between wants and needs and discuss how our wants and needs can influence how we spend money. To access this content, register for our Primary…
You Decide! (KS3)
This resource will allow students to critically consider what reasons and ways the government can take to support different industries and the impact this would have on the economy and…
Controversial issues: guidance for schools
Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of...
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The Internet: a Power for Good
In this lesson pupils consider how the internet can be a power for good and support active citizenship. Pupils explore a range of case studies before being challenged to identify…
Homelessness
In this lesson pupils will think about what home means to them through writing a poem inspired by the line ‘Home is where the heart is’. They will consider the…
Inspirational People – Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole
This assembly is an introduction to the lives of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole. You may like to run it in conjunction with the lesson ‘Inspirational People.’ To access…
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What is Tax?
During this lesson, students will look at the purpose and collection of taxes. They will explore how public services are largely funded through the payment of taxes and learn how…
The Economy Quiz
In this short, 15 minute activity students use all they have learnt from earlier lessons to complete a quiz all about the economy. Before delivering this activity, students will need…
You Decide! (KS4)
This resource will allow students to critically consider what reasons and ways the government can take to support different industries and the impact this would have on the economy and…
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Caring for Pets (Assembly)
Through the story of ‘Tigger the football loving rabbit’ this assembly addresses children’s responsibilities towards pets and the happiness they can derive from relationships with animals. To access this content,…
My Community
During this lesson pupils consider what we mean by the word community and are challenged to think about all the different community groups they belong to and how it feels…
Social Media and the Law (KS4) (SmartLaw Subscription)
Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of these offences. Finally, students…
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Plastic Pollution (KS1)
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Being Part of a School Community
During this lesson pupils recap what we mean by the term active citizen. They consider what qualities and skills an active citizen should have and explore how these skills and…
How to Make a Persuasive Presentation
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World Female Ranger Day (KS2)
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How Should We Farm?
In this lesson pupils will learn about different farming methods. They will consider the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and learn how to identify labels that indicate how food…
Protecting Local Habitats (KS1)
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Keeping Safe At Home
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The Big Legal Lesson (ages 11-18+)
Join the UK’s biggest legal education campaign during February 2026. To access this content, register for our Secondary School Subscription.
Mock Trials Classroom Pack
The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active citizenship experiences. Since 1991, we have provided unparalleled exposure to the judicial system, its venues and access to senior legal professionals. Some…
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Exploring Our Community
In this lesson pupils will research what is meant by the word ‘community’. Pupils will think about who lives in their area and what services and facilities there are for…
Standing up for Others (certificate)
Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Stand Up For Others. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The values, skills…
Working as Part of a Team (certificate)
Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Work as a Team. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The values, skills…
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The Gift of Hope
During this assembly pupils are told the ancient Greek myth, Pandora’s Box. Pupils use the story to reflect on how hope can sustain us through difficult times. To access this content,…
The Big Legal Lesson (ages 5-11)
Join the UK’s biggest legal education campaign during February 2026. To access this content, register for our Primary School Subscription.
How Can I Make a Difference?
In this lesson pupils will think about how they can plan a social action project. They will be led through key steps by following the example of the Go-Givers. …
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What is a Political Party?
This resource pack is the fourth of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...
Social Media and the Law (KS3) (SmartLaw Subscription)
Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of committing these offences. The…
How to share learning with your peers
Originally designed to be a companion pack for the Democracy Ambassadors programme, this handy toolkit will support students who...
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Law in Wales
Did you know that the age of criminal responsibility in Wales is ten? In Scotland it is 12. In Wales you can legally leave full-time education at sixteen, whereas in…
Tackling Discrimination (SmartLaw Subscription)
This lesson asks students to explore whether or not we have a moral or legal obligation to tackle discrimination when we see it. It can be delivered as a stand-alone…
Fake News: The Evolution of Media
In this lesson, students explore how media has changed since the 1900s and the impact this has had on...
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Bar Mock Trial Competition – Support Videos
Preparing for the Bar Mock Trial Competition? Watch these video explainers, demonstrations and expert tips on key aspects of criminal trials. To access this content, register for our Bar Mock…
What is Media Bias?
During this lesson students explore what bias within the media is and how it differs from fake news. They...
The Big Democracy Lesson (ages 11-18)
Every year, Young Citizens runs The Big Democracy Lesson, giving young people the skills, knowledge and confidence to be active citizens, both before and beyond the ballot box. Download the…