Resource

Voting and the General Election

How do citizens play their part in choosing who runs the country? And, how can your students make their voices heard by those in power, even if they can’t vote yet?

Overview

This resource pack is the second 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.

During this pack, students consider the democratic process of voting, what happens during a general election and what the barriers and solutions are in relation to young people voting. Through taking part students will be able to answer key questions such as:

  • What is a general election?
  • How do people vote?
  • Why should people vote?
  • What are the barriers that stop people voting?
  • How can these barriers be overcome?

 

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 Politics and Democracy resources

Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being An Online Citizen

During this lesson pupils consider their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens, focusing on how the online world can be used as a force for good. Pupils consider what skills,…

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...

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

What is Democracy?

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

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

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...

Student Tools, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

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...

Student Tools, Social Action/Active Citizenship

How to Create a Sponsor Form

Decided to do a sponsored event to raise money for charity but not sure what the sponsor form should look like? Download an example form here. To access this content,…

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

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.

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)

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…

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

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

Sentencing Guidelines (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson asks students to consider the key findings of a harassment trial and conclude what sentence should be given to the guilty party. During the course of the lesson…

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

What is Democracy?

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

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

Consumer Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson explores the law concerning buying and selling goods and services highlighting what their rights and responsibilities are as a consumer. The lesson gives students the opportunity to practice…

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

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

What is Democracy?

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

KS3 (ages 11-14)

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…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock G7 Pack

The UK hosted the G7 Summit in June 2021. Young Citizens wants to engage young people across the UK...