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How can we hold our leaders to account?
I can explain what the separation of powers is and how it is used to hold leaders to account.
Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
- Year 11
How can we hold our leaders to account?
I can explain what the separation of powers is and how it is used to hold leaders to account.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The main branches of power in the UK are executive, legislative and judiciary.
- The three branches perform checks and balances on each other.
- Leaders are held accountable through debates, questioning and parliamentary inquiries.
Keywords
Legislative - the law making body of the state, i.e. Parliament in the UK
Executive - the branch of government that is responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect
Judiciary - the branch of the state that is responsible for enforcing the law; it is composed of judges and other legal officials
Common misconception
Citizens aren't able to make a difference and hold leaders accountable.
Citizens hold leaders accountable through raising concerns, participating in inquiries and contacting MPs.
Use case studies to provide real life examples of how each branch of government checks and balances the others. This will help pupils to understand how the theory of checks and balances plays out in practice.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the three parts of UK Parliament?
What are the three parts of UK Parliament?
House of Lords, the Prime Minister and the monarchy
House of Commons, House of Lords and the Prime Minister
House of Lords, the monarchy and the Prime Minister
Q2.Who is the head of the Government?
Who is the head of the Government?
the Lord
the monarch
the Speaker
Q3.The House of Commons is made up of MPs from a variety of different and independent candidates.
The House of Commons is made up of MPs from a variety of different and independent candidates.
Q4.Match the correct part of UK Parliament to its role.
Match the correct part of UK Parliament to its role.
Q5.Who chairs debates in the House of Commons?
Who chairs debates in the House of Commons?
the monarch
the Lord Speaker
the Serjeant at Arms
Q6.If there is not a majority in a general election, a government can be formed. This is when two or more political parties may work together and form a to control a majority of seats.
If there is not a majority in a general election, a government can be formed. This is when two or more political parties may work together and form a to control a majority of seats.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the correct definition.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Q2.The branch is made up of the House of Commons, House of Lords and the monarchy.
The branch is made up of the House of Commons, House of Lords and the monarchy.
Q3.How does the legislative hold the executive accountable?
How does the legislative hold the executive accountable?
by approving all decisions made by the executive
by conducting judicial reviews
Q4.Which of the following is not a reason why the branches of government in the UK are kept separate?
Which of the following is not a reason why the branches of government in the UK are kept separate?
to ensure accountability
to ensure checks and balances
to allow for scrutiny
Q5.Which of the following is a way citizens can hold government leaders accountable in the UK?
Which of the following is a way citizens can hold government leaders accountable in the UK?
debating in the House of Commons
voting for members of the House of Lords
Q6.What is a parliamentary inquiry?
What is a parliamentary inquiry?
a meeting where laws are made in Parliament
a way for Parliament to pass new laws without debate
a process where the executive branch asks Parliament to make decisions
