An innovative new curriculum led by political experts will help children around the country explore society's most complex challenges.
The free support for pupils and teachers will include lessons and workshops on governance, representation and democracy in the UK. This will include how the political process is influenced through protest, volunteering, and civic engagement. They will also learn about trust and accountability, the role of agendas, bias, and a free press in a democracy.
The programme, Explore Politics, was devised by Dr Rebecca Baker, from the University of Exeter, and is influenced by her research into how to encourage young people to engage with civic life. As part of this research she worked regularly with 16 to 19 year olds in the South West.
The aim of Explore Politics, run with the university's Widening Participation team, is to provide 14- to 19-year-olds with the knowledge, confidence, and access to take part in civic and political life in the UK. CPD training will be available for teachers on using political issues in the classroom.
Dr Baker said: "We live in a world of ever more complex challenges, from climate change to social and economic disparity. We hope this curriculum will prepare young people to understand and engage as future democrats, which has never been more vital."
The resources are designed to support the National Curriculum and Ofsted guidelines, which say children must learn about political governance and voting, as well as British values. They will help nurture children's skills in thinking critically, analysing sources and reading and research.
Dr Baker said: "The goal of this programme is to provide both political literacy and encourage students from diverse backgrounds to consider politics for future study. It's increasingly important that young people are given the opportunity to develop the tools they need to engage meaningfully in the political system."
Schools and college teachers can sign up for their pupils to take part in six sessions. Lesson plans and slides will be available. There will also be live online sessions where teenagers can interact with politics experts and they can take part in an on campus workshop on re-designing democracy.
