Local and Central Government

In this lesson created by the team at Young Citizens, pupils learn about the function of central and local government and the difference between MPs and local councillors. Pupils explore the job of parliament, taking a look at the role of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Pupils explore a range of issues faced by citizens and decide which political representative is best placed to help. They then go on to consider the ways that they can participate in our democracy, and finally apply and consolidate their learning by designing a new political party and voting for a candidate to stand for election.

By the end of the lesson pupils will be able to:

Explore the role of central and local government;
Describe what happens in parliament;
Identify different ways they can make their voices heard by key decision makers in their area.

This lesson forms the second part of a three-part unit on democracy.