Young people and democracy
We know how important it is to help young people understand how decisions are made, how they can be a part of those decisions and why their voices matter in shaping the world around them. With the Government's announcement of plans to lower the voting age to 16 in England within the lifetime of this Parliament, with the aim of increasing turnout at elections amongst young people, it's more important than ever that young people are encouraged to engage with politics and democracy.
Resources for schools
The Electoral Commission, a politically impartial and independent organisation which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK, has partnered with organisations to produce resources for schools to use and share with students, including:
- a learning sequence suitable for Year 10+ and linked to the National Curriculum - this fun and interactive scheme of work, consisting of 6 lessons, each lasting 60 minutes, explores different elements of democracy and politics, including how to register to vote and to what to expect on polling day. Young people will have the chance to design and implement their own campaign. You can use the full programme, or choose the lessons which suit your group. The lesson plans can also be delivered during an off-timetable or drop-down day. The Commission has partnered with the Association for Citizenship Teaching to create a series of teacher training videos to support schools to deliver their 6 lesson plans to students
- short activities - these 5 to 15 minute activities can be used to start a conversation about democracy. If your school or college doesn't normally teach democratic education, these short activities can be used as lesson starters
- Welcome to Your Vote Week: mis- and disinformation resources - the Commission has partnered with Shout Out UK to create a series of short activities and lesson plans, for different age groups, on mis- and disinformation. These resources aim to increase young people's knowledge and understanding of mis- and disinformation, how to identify it, and where to find trustworthy information about politics, democracy and elections
- Welcome to Your Vote Week: local democracy resources - the Commission has partnered with Simple Politics to create a series of short activities designed to support young people aged 16-18 to learn more about local politics and feel confident to engage with democracy
- assembly resources (KS4 and KS5) - these resources can be used to introduce young people to politics, democracy and elections
- school referendum - guidance notes and resources to enable schools or colleges to run a referendum
The My local information service on the Dorset Council website may also be useful. Enter your address and look under the "My Council" tab to see your Dorset Council electoral ward, your Dorset Council councillor(s), your parish/town council and your Member of Parliament.
Help with running an election or referendum in your school or college
The Elections Team can provide guidance or advice on running an election or referendum in your school. To make an election or referendum as realistic as possible, and subject to service demand, we can provide “official” election notices and documentation and lend equipment such as polling booths, stationery and ballot boxes for use in the school’s polling station (please note: these would need to be collected from, and returned to, the Council’s offices at County Hall, Dorchester). Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Encouraging students to register to vote - we need your help!
We are obviously keen for all young people aged 16+ to register to vote and schools and colleges can play a key part in raising awareness and encouraging them to do this.
You might want to highlight to your students that being registered to vote not only means that you can make your voice heard on local and national matters by being able to vote in elections and referendums but it can also affect your ability to get credit, which is essential for all sorts of things from getting a mobile phone contract to obtaining a mortgage. The longer you have been on the electoral register, the better your credit score!
It is quick and easy to register to vote and this can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will need to have your National Insurance number to hand.
Posters can be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website (under the "Voter registration drive support" section) to promote voter registration amongst your students.
Dorset Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament
There are further opportunities for your students to become involved in decision-making locally and nationally through the Dorset Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament. View an information leaflet, which you may want to make available to your students.
Get in touch
If you need any help or guidance on any student-related electoral matters, please contact us.