Resource

The Circle of Life Award

Empower your students to create their own social action project to benefit their community.

Overview

The Circle of Life Award has been set up by Disney Theatrical Productions in partnership with Young Citizens to shine a light on and celebrate some of the amazing work young people in schools do to make a positive contribution to their community.

The resources consist of six sessions – three teacher-led resources and three student-led – that are designed to empower young people to initiate and deliver a social action project to benefit an issue or problem in their community. You decide if you want to use the full set of resources or just choose the activity sheets that help your students’ project.

“The Circle of Life project is giving our students an amazing opportunity to adopt an outward looking vantage point that hones into the needs of their community. It provides children and young people with a safe and supported structure through which they can demonstrate kindness, compassion and thoughtful citizenship.”

Nina Moore, Head teacher, Full Circle Education.

Want free resources to kickstart your social action project? Download our “How To” guide and start using the session plans below.

If you have any questions, please contact the team at info@youngcitizens.org

Suggested next steps:

  • Sign up to our mailing list to get up to date news and offers straight to your inbox
  • Check out our blog for more reasons to get more engaged with Citizenship education.
Circle of Life Award

Find out more about the Circle of Life Award

More Lessons resources

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

Crime and its Impact

Students explore the impact of crime on those surrounding the victim and the perpetrator and consider the financial, physical and emotional ripples that crime can have on a community. Please…

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, 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…

More Health and Wellbeing resources

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

What is an Infectious Disease?

In this lesson pupils consider how infections can spread rapidly through a population and are introduced to the different infectious agents that cause disease (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasitic organisms).…

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

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…

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

Conflict: Part 1 – Reacting to Conflict

In this lesson pupils will take part in discussions relating to situations of conflict. Pupils will consider actions which provoke conflict and actions which can help to calm conflict. They…

More Social action/Active Citizenship resources

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

Inspirational People

In this lesson pupils will learn about what it means to be inspirational. They will develop their understanding of the term through looking at real life examples in the media.…

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…

Certificates, Social action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being a Change-Maker (certificate)

Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Are Change-Makers. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The values, skills and knowledge…

More KS1 (ages 5-7) resources

Class Posters, 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 free School Subscription.

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

Bouncing Back (certificate)

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

Lessons, Relationships, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Tongue: The Power of Words

In this lesson pupils will read a tale adapted from Carib tradition which tells of how words can be used for good or bad. In discussion, pupils will consider the…

More KS2 (ages 7-11) resources

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…

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

Climate Change

Learners explore what climate change is and what is causing it.  They consider who is responsible for climate change:  individuals, politicians, businesses?  They are then challenged to think of a…

Certificates, Diversity and Inclusion, KS1 (ages 5-7)

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…

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

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

Crime and its Impact

Students explore the impact of crime on those surrounding the victim and the perpetrator and consider the financial, physical...

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, 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...

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

COVID and the Economy

During this session, students will critically examine some of the key economic considerations of the pandemic. They will explore...

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

Be Your Own Councillor

Students examine ways in which a fictional town council could spend its budget. They consider the concerns of different...

Related content

Democracy resources for ages 11-18

Political literacy resources for secondary and post-16 students. New for 2023-24, this four-part democracy set has been designed to...