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Political Literacy

Local Democracy week is 13th-18th October this year. This is an opportunity for teachers and schools to consider their roles in the local community and to consider their commitment to engagement in local democracy.

October 2008

Introduction...

Why don't you kick start the week by asking your pupils to investigate a local issue that affects them and to find out who the responsible councillor is. This could lead to the pupils inviting the councillor into school to discuss these issues and make a positive change to the local environment. Alternatively the class could arrange for a trip to your town hall!

CASESTUDY

from Emmajane McNulty, Citizenship co-ordinator at Kirk Balk School in Barnsley

On Wednesday a group of 25 students interviewed the police authority. On Thursday a different group interviewed the Director General of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and on Friday a different group will interview Michael Clapham MP. In their Citizenship lessons the students have been learning about democracy and preparing suitable questions for these people. The plan is for young people to have their say and talk about issues which concern them. On all the occasions we have also had councillors from Barnsley involved in answering questions. The webcasts have gone really well so far. They are available to watch here. Our students have enjoyed the experience immensely and I hope that it will give them a greater sense of what being in a democracy means and how they can have their say at a local level.

Primary Resources

Local councillors should be happy to engage with young people - also very young people. If they need help with knowing what to say or how to engage, the Local Government Association have produced guides for them. See here

Local Government Association

The Local Government Association have produced information for schools to help young people communicate with councillors. There's a local democracy "how to guide" for Citizenship teachers to help you teach local democracy in a valuable way. The resource can be downloaded by clicking on the link above.

Local Democracy Campaign

We want to create a new politics where citizens positively engage with an exciting, relevant and vibrant local democracy. Participating in local democracy is an efficient, effective way of influencing what happens to you, your neighbours and your community. To make this happen we need government of all kinds to devolve power, funding and responsibility to the lowest possible level. We want to give people more of a say in the decisions that affect their lives so that public services better meet people’s needs and expectations.

Find who your councillors are here

Local Council's website

Try your local council's website to see what they're doing for Local Democracy Week. ACT knows about several local councils that have excellent resources for Citizenship teachers. We also know of some where these resources are sadly lacking! Let us know if you use your local council's resources. Positive and negative feedback is always welcome here at ACT.

Secondary Resources

The Local Government Association have produced information for schools to help young people communicate with councillors! They have produced excellent information for councillors to help them include young people as part of their duty to consult. There's a local democracy "how to guide" for Citizenship teachers to help you teach local democracy in a valuable way. The resource can be downloaded here.

Local Democracy Campaign.

Find who your councillors are here

Local Council's website

Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission aims to ensure public confidence and participation in the democratic process through electoral modernisation and promotion. Have a look at the Electoral Commission's www.dopolitics.org.uk website where there are many resources for teachers and if you don't already have a copy of their resource "Democracy Cookbook" ACT recommends you get one! (Available in hard copy only.)

Operation Black Vote

Operation Black Vote is a non-party political campaign, supported by a broad coalition of mainly Black organisations. ACT recommends their Guide to Democracy and the Projects and Schemes.

Hansard Society Mock Elections

The Hansard Society have some excellent teaching resources, for example the Y Vote Mock Elections which bring the principles of democracy, parliament and government to life. Mock elections engage students with issues around them by giving them the opportunity to stand as party candidates, run campaigns and vote, in a mock election. It's free to get involved and a step by step teacher guide, full resources and a dedicated student area can all be found at