Overview
Students critically consider the needs of a fictitious town and how to spend it’s £250 million budget wisely. Working in teams, students evaluate the local needs and priorities of the town and then pitch their budget proposal to local residents. Afterwards, the local councillors cast votes for which budget allocation best supports the needs of the local community.
By the end of these activities’ students will be able to:
- Consider some of the competing demands on local council budgets;
- Present their ideas on how a council budget should be spent, reflecting on the different needs of the community.
More Lessons resources
What is the Law?
Watch a read-aloud version of the book ‘What is the Law?’, in which a hedgehog called Snippet finds out about the law. The book has been separated into four chapters…
Protecting Local Habitats (KS2)
In this lesson pupils will learn about the importance of habitats and explore endangered British species and the threats to their habitat. Pupils will be guided through ways in which…
Democracy Ambassadors
What was Democracy Ambassadors? Between April 2018 and March 2019 Young Citizens worked with youth leaders to recruit 1,000...
More Economics, Money and Managing Resources resources
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…
How Does the Budget Impact Me and Others?
The resource consists of two activities. The first is a notation task based on the information provided about the...
Economic Cycles
This free classroom resource explores what economic cycles are and how they impact our lives. Aimed at KS4 and...
More Politics and Democracy resources
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…
Climate Action: Circular Economies
During this lesson students explore how the economy can be used to support climate action and create a more...
Local and Central Government
This resource pack is the third of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...
More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources
Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition 2025/26: Preparation Resources (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
School Guide – This guide contains all of the information to support the lead teacher and support teachers in preparing for the competition. Student Guides – Each student guide contains an…
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…
Police Powers (SmartLaw Subscription)
This lesson examines the powers that the police have to stop and search, arrest and detain individuals. Students also have the opportunity to create their own ideal police force considering…