Resource

Local and Central Government

What’s the difference between local government, central government and parliament? And how can your students make their voices heard at all levels?

Overview

This resource pack is the third 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 other, or combined together to form a broader scheme of work.

Students explore the difference between local and central government. Through taking part students will be able to answer key questions such as:

  • What are the key functions and roles of local and central government?
  • What are the key differences between local and central government?
  • How do local governments make and spend money?
  • How can they make their voices heard amongst local decision makers?

 

How does the pack work?

Each pack can be delivered in a number of different ways depending on the time you have available:

  • Use all the content to deliver a drop-down day on democracy;
  • Pick and choose the activities you want to focus on and use these to build individual lessons;
  • Where full lessons are not available each activity is further broken down into 5-15 minute segments, perfect for tutor-time;

The accompanying PowerPoint covers all the key learning points from the pack and could be used as the activities are being delivered. Alternatively, it provides a perfect introductory assembly to what a democracy is.

More Lessons resources

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…

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…

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

Difficult Decisions

Over a series of short sessions, pupils will have the opportunity to consider simple social and moral dilemmas which may arise in day to day life. Pupils will be encouraged…

More Community resources

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

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.  …

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

Plastic Pollution (KS2)

Find out more about the impact of plastic on our oceans. Watch this introductory video and use our free...

More Economics, Money and Managing Resources resources

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

You Decide! (KS4)

This resource will allow students to critically consider what reasons and ways the government can take to support different...

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 the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and…

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…

More Politics and Democracy resources

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

The G7 (Lesson Plan)

During this two lesson resource pupils learn about the G7 and take part in a mock G7 Summit meeting.   During the first lesson pupils explore the history and function…

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, Politics and Democracy, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Democracy (Part 2): Local and Central Government

This lesson forms the second part of a three-part unit on democracy. Pupils learn about the function of central and local government and the difference between MPs and councillors. Pupils explore…

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

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

Representation

Pupils consider the importance of equal representation through learning from the example of Marley Dias and her campaign for better representation of black girls in literature. To access this content,…

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

Making a Difference From Home

Our packs support KS2 and KS3 pupils to plan and deliver their very own mini social action project. By...

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

Protecting Local Habitats (KS1)

In this lesson pupils will learn the meaning of the word habitat and have an introduction to different habitats that can be found in the UK. Pupils will examine how…

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

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

Create a Local Council Budget

Students critically consider the needs of a fictitious town and how to spend it’s £250 million budget wisely. Working...

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

Law in Wales

Did you know that the age of criminal responsibility in Wales is ten? In Scotland it is 12. In...

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...

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS5 (ages 16-18)

The Government and the Economy

By the end of the lesson students will: Understand key economic terms including taxation, welfare benefits, public spending and...

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

Law in Wales

Did you know that the age of criminal responsibility in Wales is ten? In Scotland it is 12. In...

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Who Owns Your Data?

This ready-to-teach double lesson pack is aimed at students in key stages 4 and 5. During the course of...

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

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...

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...

Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Voting and the General Election

This resource pack is the second of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...