Bring Citizenship to Life

Citizenship prepares pupils to understand the world around them and the role they play within it. Through the subject, they explore how society works, how decisions are made, and how they can participate positively in their communities and wider society.

VotesforSchools brings these ideas to life through weekly discussions on current issues, helping pupils develop the knowledge, confidence and critical thinking skills to become informed, active citizens.

Creating active citizens

VotesforSchools is democracy in action; it offers pupils the opportunity to better understand the political system and wider society of which they are a part, and to become active participants in both. Week on week they are shown the importance of what they have to say, and how collective action (in the form of discussing, voting & commenting) can directly impact key decisions being made that will affect them in the future.

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The programme also shows them the innate value in talking about topical issues with others, especially those with differing opinions. The importance of these skills can’t be underplayed; by becoming effective communicators, able to navigate conflict, and understanding the necessity of respect and tolerance, they are setting themselves up to be vital contributors to society both now and when they are of voting age.

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In Key Stage 1

The KS1 (age 5-7) provision focuses particularly on right & wrong, and the need for rules, restrictions, and rights in our society. They have a unique opportunity to discuss how different groups and communities in our society might be subject to different rules and restrictions - such as voting age, social media limits, or what they learn at school - but that rights and responsibilities apply to everyone. This helps our youngest pupils to self-safeguard and understand the difference between fair and unfair treatment.

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In Key Stage 2

The KS2 (age 7-11) provision, meanwhile, gives greater breadth and depth to this learning. Pupils regularly have the chance to discuss the leaders of the UK and how these decision-makers are stratified based on different institutions. They also understand the groups or issues that challenge these institutions, and the motivations behind these challenges, such as climate change, equality, and finances.

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The different national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the UK are also celebrated by the resources, which helps pupils identify or relate to these groups in a way they might not otherwise be able to through the traditional curriculum. The importance of respecting people with different values, beliefs and characteristics is always present in every resource, no matter the nature of the debate.

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In Key Stage 3&4

The Secondary (age 11-16) provision will consistently make reference to the UK’s Parliamentary system and democracy more generally, both with specific topics (such as for UK Parliament Week) and across other debates, many of which are prompted by Government decisions or discussions. For example, a topic on Britain’s waterways made reference to the idea of privatisation versus public ownership and the Government’s role in this. Similarly, a discussion about allergies referred to a PMQs session in which the Prime Minister and a backbencher debated the benefits of having auto-adrenaline injectors more widely available. At every possible juncture, political knowledge is revisited and further embedded, and the role pupils have to play in absorbing and acting upon this is highlighted.

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This knowledge can then also be applied during topics on forms of Government elsewhere, such as global democracy, the US election, and institutions such as the United Nations.

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How does it help?

Although VotesforSchools exists to remove the often-perceived barriers to entry around traditional debate, it still maintains the importance of respectful, thoughtful discussion that promotes active listening and a willingness to modify opinions.

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Pupils are encouraged to take stock of the views of their peers, as well as those in the public eye, and use these to come to their own conclusions. Being able to articulate their views and have courage in their convictions is central to the sessions, and by using VotesforSchools on a weekly basis, they have regular opportunities to put this into practice.

For more on how VotesforSchools supports balanced and topical debate, check out our Political Impartiality in Schools guidance.