16-Long-Lesson-Votes-at-16 (1)
Lesduur is: 25 minOnderdelen in deze les
Should schools help young
people prepare
for votes at 16?
This week you are voting on…
Why are we talking about this?
1
VotesforSchools posed this VoteTopic question back in November 2022: “Should everyone be able to vote at 16?”
Pair discussion (1 min)
How do you think voters responded to this question back then?
Over 45,000 votes were cast, and the result was 41.8% Yes and 58.2% No.
Why are we talking about this?
1
Moving back to today, laws are being changed to allow young people to vote in general elections in Britain from the age of 16.
The next general election needs to take place before 15th August 2029. The last one was held on 4th July 2024. The Labour Party received the greatest share of the vote that day and formed our current Government.
Do you feel 16-year olds are ready for the responsibility of voting? Are they equipped to make informed decisions? Do voting choices need to be informed? Today we will be voting Yes or No to: “Should schools help young people prepare for votes at 16?”
Let’s get political
2
Voting at 16? You might have heard about voting at 16 before, and you might have thought some people could already vote at 16. Well, in some places and in some elections, this has been the case! It is voting in general elections at 16 which will be new.
Did you know?
The last time the voting age for general elections was changed was in 1969, when the age was reduced from 21 to 18.
Let’s get political
2
Until now, a key difference in the voting age has been for elections for local councils in Scotland and Wales and for elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd.
The current Labour Government is now extending the right to vote. In time, 16-year olds will be able to vote in all national and local elections across the four nations, including 16-year old voters in England and Northern Ireland for the first time.
Challenge (3-5 mins)
You will still need to be 18 to stand as a candidate in elections. Do you feel this should be updated in line with the voting age?
Let’s get political
2
A key player in preparing young people (and adults) to vote for the first time are The Electoral Commission. They are an independent organisation that oversees elections and money in politics in the UK.
They have said extra lessons should be given to those aged 14 and over at first to help them prepare for the next election. Later, all Secondary pupils should be getting extra activities and learning around voting as they will all be able to vote at 16.
Let’s get political
2
The Electoral Commission will not be the only organisation helping to prepare young people to vote:
Let’s get political
2
Class discussion (4-6 mins)
Having completed most (if not all) of your Secondary education, do you feel taking more time to learn about democracy and voting in school is a good use of time?
A futureproofed curriculum
3
Learning to vote is not the only new learning that schools are needing to find time for.
At VotesforSchools, we believe it is very important to bring democracy and voting to young people in schools. However, there are lots areas of life beyond school that you can also learn about in lesson time.
The Government has plans for modernising and changing some parts of education. The Curriculum and Assessment Review made recommendations to the Government. The Government wants to put these recommendations in place.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
Class activity (8-10 mins)
Take a read of some of the key recommendations from the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Lightly drum the table if the recommendation is something you feel is important for schools to deliver.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
The length of GCSE exams should be cut by 10%.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
The amount of content for each GCSE subject should be reduced, particularly in History and Sciences. This would make more time for PE, Citizenship and Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE).
A futureproofed curriculum
3
There should be more focus on social diversity in learning. Stronger representation should show “the diversity that makes up our modern society, allowing more children to see themselves in the curriculum”.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
There should be more religious education (RE).
It should be on the national curriculum for all ages.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
There should be a new test in Maths and English for Year 8s. This would show teachers the gaps in pupils’ knowledge.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
The current Computer Science GCSE should be replaced with a new GCSE. It should apply “digital technology and data across a wide range of fields” and include the use of artificial intelligence.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
Oracy will be embedded into the curriculum to help more young people become confident and effective speakers.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
All students will be able to take triple science (individual Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs), rather than double science.
A futureproofed curriculum
3
Challenge (4-6 mins)
If you were beginning your Secondary education again, how would you rank these new ideas for schools in order of importance to you?
Being able to take triple science.
Oracy in schools for confident and effective speaking.
Year 8 tests in Maths and English.
A new GCSE to replace Computer Science.
RE for all ages.
Reducing the content of GCSEs so there is more time for PE, Citizenship and Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE).
Greater representation of social diversity in learning.
GCSE exams being 10% shorter.
Learning about democracy and voting to prepare to vote at 16.
Party time
4
Those elected in general elections spend much of their time working out of Westminster. You probably have a sense of many of the thoughts and feelings that different political parties represent.
4
Individual reflection (1-2 mins)
Do you know which political party you align with most? What do you think they have had to say about 16-year olds voting?
Party time
Party time
4
Challenge (2-5 mins)
If you feel comfortable, explain to your partner what your chosen political party stands for to you.
Party time
4
Did you know?
Following the news about voting at 16, a poll of 500 16- and 17-year olds showed 33% said they would vote Labour, 20% would vote Reform, 18% would vote Green, 12% Liberal Democrats and 10% Conservative.
Young people are now going to have more say in what happens at Westminster. People vote for the person and party that they believe will work best for them and the country.
Bringing the vote to 16-year olds was a political action. The Labour Party promised they would do this if they won the last election. So, what do other parties think about this change? How do you feel about their views?
Party time
4
Class activity (7-10 mins)
Take a read of what different parties have said about voting at 16.
Does their viewpoint make you more or less likely to vote for them, based on this political issue?
Party time
4
“They’re old enough to go out to work, they’re old enough to pay taxes. If you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the Government should go.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Party time
4
“Why does this [Labour] Government think a 16-year old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting in?”
Paul Holmes MP
Party time
4
“Votes at 16 is a no-brainer. Liberal Democrats have campaigned for this change for well over 20 years and so of course we welcome this decision.”
Sarah Olney MP
Party time
4
“I don’t think you should be able to vote in an election unless you’re also eligible to be a candidate, and I don’t think 16-year olds should stand for Parliament.
So no, I’m not in favour of it, but I’m really encouraged by the number of young people that are coming towards us.”
Nigel Farage MP
Party time
4
Party time
4
“Polling shows younger people agree with many of the SNP’s key policies – including securing real change with Scottish independence, rejoining the EU, eradicating poverty, tackling the climate crisis, opposing Westminster austerity cuts – and helping young people with free tuition and bus travel. Regardless of how 16- and 17-year olds vote at the next UK election, it can only be a good thing that they will finally have their voice heard.”
Pete Wishart MP
Party time
4
“I think it’s vitally important that young people get involved in politics. It’s why I have always supported lowering the voting age to make sure that people are able to get involved in politics and genuinely influence politics from an earlier age.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth, MS
“On this one, Labour have got it right. Giving 16- and 17-year olds
the vote is a long-overdue step towards a stronger, more inclusive democracy. Young people have powerful voices and a vital stake in decisions about their future – it’s only right that they have a say at the ballot box. But if Labour are serious about renewing our democracy, this must be just the beginning. We need to go further – that means scrapping the undemocratic House of Lords and finally delivering proportional representation so that every vote counts.”
Ellie Chowns MP
Party time
4
Poll position
5
Class activity (6-10 mins)
Now let’s practise our Yes and No voting. Take a read of some opinions about today’s topic. Do you agree or
disagree with the view?
Yes
No
I
voted!
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
There is no time to learn more about democracy at school.
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
Being a
voter is an important part of being a UK citizen.
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
Politics should be kept out of schools.
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
Learning more about the news at school will help us to be prepared to vote.
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
Not everyone wants to vote, so it shouldn’t have time in school.
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
Young people can be swayed to vote a certain way more easily than adults.
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
Voters that understand politics make more informed choices.
Poll position
5
Yes?
No?
We should
hear from politicians and parties directly when we are at school.
It’s not adding up for me.
There will be no time for triple science if everyone needs to learn about Westminster!
Now’s your chance to vote Yes or No on:
“Should schools help young people prepare for votes at 16?”
Voting is an important responsibility. Young people should learn about the
basics of voting.
I would have benefitted from learning about why we get
to vote, and what our vote means. There’s a lot of
history to hear about.
I think everyone should
vote so we are invested in our country. School is the place
to give everyone the skills
they need to be involved
in democracy.
People talk about politics
all the time in papers, on socials, podcasts, on TV
and on the radio. There are
places everyone can go to learn more.
Political beliefs can be personal, and you may want
to keep them private. School
is not the right place for politics.
Want to vote? Sign up for a free VotesforSchools trial here.
We will be sharing your thoughts on this topic with Shout Out UK, The Politics Project, First News, The Electoral Commission and Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
