Who has the power to bring about change in our local communities? (Complete scheme of work)

Who has the power to bring about change in our local communities?

About this scheme of work
This scheme of work develops students’ knowledge and understanding of who has the power to bring about change in our local communities beyond those in local government. It forms part of our model core curriculum which is exclusively available to School and College Members.

Power and community run through this scheme of work. Students investigate these concepts, before thinking about who can bring about change in local communities and what would inspire them to become changemakers. They investigate NGOs, charities and volunteering in this context, considering how different types of organisation bring about change and their potential impact. They then go on to focus on grassroots developments in detail – how they differ from other organisations, how they are funded and how they bring about change in local communities.

In the final two lessons, students demonstrate their learning through simulated active citizenship, planning a grassroots development and preparing a bid and pitch for funding. They assess each other’s bids and pitches in order to reach a consensus on who should win the funding. In doing so, they develop a wide range of Citizenship skills.

National curriculum links
The roles played by public and voluntary groups in society; the ways in which citizens work together to improve their communities.

Citizenship skills
Advocacy, informing others, decision-making, evaluation, critical enquiry, investigation, collaborative working, representing others’ views, active citizenship, communication, informing others’ opinions.

Citizenship concepts
Community cohesion, making a difference, responsibilities, change, power, justice, fairness, diversity, equal opportunities, respect.

Building progression
This scheme of work is part of ACT’s model core curriculum for Citizenship in secondary schools, which has been designed to develop and deepen students’ knowledge, skills and understanding throughout Key Stages 3 and 4. Other units linked to this Year 8 scheme of work include:

Year 7: What role can I play in making our school a fairer place?

Year 9: Community volunteers or social media influencers – who has the most power and influence?

Year 10: How can I be a changemaker in my local community?

This scheme of work is part of ACT’s key stage 3 model curriculum and addresses the requirements of the National Curriculum for Citizenship using a key enquiry question –  Who has the power to bring about change in our local communities? – as the focus.

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