Resource

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Conflict and controversy is a fact of life

In an age of mass media and electronic communication, children and young people are regularly exposed to the conflicts and controversies of adult life.

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…

To access this content, register for our School Subscription.

More Classroom Toolkits resources

Classroom Toolkits

Questions to Develop Citizenship

Useful questions to help develop children’s critical thinking, emotional literacy and empathy as well as support their moral development. These can be used when discussing stories or examining situations that…

Classroom Toolkits

De Bono Hats

The best decisions often come from looking at problems from different viewpoints. By using De Bono Thinking hats children learn how to change their style of thinking to find new…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

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...

More Community resources

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Who Keeps us Healthy?

In this lesson pupils consider what being healthy means and who plays a role in keeping the population healthy. The coronavirus pandemic is given as an example of populations taking…

Lessons, Community, KS1 (ages 5-7)

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…

Lessons, Community, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Who Can Help?

In this lesson pupils will learn about the ‘special’ people who help in their community. They will consider who can help them in different situations and how they can ask…

More Digital Citizenship resources

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock Parliament Debate

Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 (13-18 year olds) the pack is designed to be delivered over a...

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Media Bias?

During this lesson students explore what bias within the media is and how it differs from fake news. They...

Assemblies, Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Raising Awareness

During this assembly pupils reflect on how social media can be an important platform for raising awareness of issues that are important to pupils through the example of Martha Payne’s school…

More Diversity and Inclusion resources

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Power of Giving

In this lesson pupils will read a tale from Japanese folklore which tells of how one small act of generosity leads to big gains. They will think about whether generous…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS1 (ages 5-7)

World Female Ranger Day (KS1)

During this lesson pupils will learn about World Female Ranger Day. Pupils will explore where the continent of Africa is and learn about its unique wildlife, and why it needs…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

An Introduction to Discrimination Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson looks at the history of anti-discrimination law, the different types of discrimination (i.e. direct and indirect discrimination) and how the law deals with discrimination. It can be delivered…

More Economics, Money and Managing Resources resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Tax?

During this lesson, students will look at the purpose and collection of taxes. They will explore how public services...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

The Economy Quiz

In this short, 15 minute activity students use all they have learnt from earlier lessons to complete a quiz...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Economic Cycles

This free classroom resource explores what economic cycles are and how they impact our lives. Aimed at KS4 and...

More Health and Wellbeing resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

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…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

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…

Assemblies, Health and Wellbeing, KS1 (ages 5-7)

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,…

More Politics and Democracy resources

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Citizenship: a privilege or a right?

Students research what the law says about the rights of individuals to become UK citizens and critically examine whether...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Climate Action: Circular Economies

During this lesson students explore how the economy can be used to support climate action and create a more...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS5 (ages 16-18)

An Introduction to Human Rights

In this lesson students will explore our rights and responsibilities and how they are protected in law. They are...

More Relationships resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson introduces students to the concepts of their legal rights and responsibilities and explores how the law impacts their daily lives. Students explore the different ages that various laws…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Relationships and the Law

During this lesson pupils explore the concept of marriage and civil partnerships focusing on the fact that they are a legal commitment between two people and what this means. Pupils…

Class Posters, Relationships, KS1 (ages 5-7)

We Think Before We Act (poster)

We think about how our actions and words might affect other people, communities and the environment. To access this content, register for our School Subscription.

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock Parliament Debate

Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 (13-18 year olds) the pack is designed to be delivered over a...

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

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…

Certificates, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Making a Difference (certificate)

Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Make a Difference in our Communities. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The…

More Sustainability and the Environment resources

Lessons, Community, KS2 (ages 7-11)

COP: Climate Action

In November 2021, COP26 took place in Glasgow. It was the most pivotal climate summit of all time. This resources will explore what COP is and what COP26 aimed to…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Citizenship and the Wider World

During this lesson pupils consider what it means to be a global citizen and what rights and responsibilities come with this.   They consider a range of global issues; analysing…

Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

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…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Keeping Safe At Home

In this lesson pupils will spot potential risks in the home. They will learn how they can help adults to keep them safe by reporting problems and keeping the home…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Citizenship: a privilege or a right?

Students research what the law says about the rights of individuals to become UK citizens and critically examine whether...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

What Are Human Rights?

In this lesson pupils will explore what human rights are. They will examine individual human rights and discuss why they are of primary importance to all people and society. Pupils…

More KS1 (ages 5-7) resources

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

What is a Vote?

In this lesson pupils will learn what it means to vote by looking at relatable examples in the lives of the Go-Givers. They will consider why and how votes are…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Litter: The Picnic

In this lesson pupils will follow the story of the Go-Givers having a picnic.  Pupils will think about the problems caused by littering and how they can take responsibility for…

Assemblies, Sustainability and the Environment, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Litter: The Picnic (Assembly)

With the help of one of the Go-Givers puppets or a soft toy, this assembly highlights how the rubbish we discard can and spoil the environment and endanger wildlife. The…

More KS2 (ages 7-11) resources

Lessons, Diversity and Inclusion, KS2 (ages 7-11)

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…

Certificates, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Thinking Before you Act (certificate)

Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Think Before We Act. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The values, skills…

Class Posters, KS1 (ages 5-7)

We Consider Other Viewpoints Before Making Up Our Minds (poster)

We speak our minds but also listen to and consider other people’s points of view. To access this content, register for our School Subscription.

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

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…

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Debt?

Students will explore issues around money, personal and sovereign debt and consider the impact government borrowing has on future...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

An Introduction to Discrimination Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson looks at the history of anti-discrimination law, the different types of discrimination (i.e. direct and indirect discrimination)...

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

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,...

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Citizenship: a privilege or a right?

Students research what the law says about the rights of individuals to become UK citizens and critically examine whether...

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of...

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Climate Action: Circular Economies

During this lesson students explore how the economy can be used to support climate action and create a more...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Employment Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

During this lesson students explore the law that applies to young workers and what they can do if they believe their legal rights at work are not being upheld. To…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

The Big Legal Lesson 2026 (ages 11-18+)

Join the UK's biggest legal education campaign during February 2025.