A visit to the council chamber

Pupils will carry out a debate in the style of a council debate. Teachers may be able to arrange for the debate to take place in a local council chamber once pupils are familiar with the process. Ideally, it should be carried out over two or three lessons. 

Curriculum objectives

Pupils should learn:

• to research, discuss and debate a topical issue
• to present a case for or against an issue in public and to vote on it.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this lesson:

• most pupils will be able to: work in groups to investigate and discuss issues and communicate their findings to others. They contribute to discussions and debates
• some pupils have not made so much progress and: contribute to discussions
• some pupils have progressed further and: work in groups to investigate and discuss issues and communicate their findings to others. They draw on their own knowledge and understanding when contributing to discussions and debate.