Can citizens play a bigger role in select committees?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what select committees are and the role citizens play in them in the UK.
Key learning points
- Select committees scrutinise government policies.
- Citizens influence select committees by submitting evidence and engaging in consultations.
- Select committees use public input to better understand issues and make informed recommendations.
- Public engagement can be improved through civic education and accessible communication.
Keywords
Select committee - a group of members of a legislative body chosen to investigate and report on specific issues or topics
Inquiry - an investigation conducted by a committee to examine a specific issue or area of government policy
Common misconception
Select committees are just for criticising the Government.
Select committees gather evidence and make recommendations to improve decision-making.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to explore the UK Parliament website to discover select committees that align with their interests.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How does the Government typically shape policies?
Q2.Which of the following is an example of how citizens can indirectly shape policies?
Q3.Match the method of shaping policy to its correct definition.
choosing representatives who make decisions on laws and policies
collecting public signatures to formally request government action
trying to influence decision-makers by promoting a specific cause
Q4.A assembly brings together a group of people to discuss an issue and make recommendations to the Government.
Q5.What must the Government do with recommendations made by a citizens' assembly?
Q6.How can indirect methods like petitions or protests help shape policy?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main purpose of a select committee?
Q2.Match the term to the correct description.
a group of MPs or Lords chosen to examine a specific issue
investigations by committees into specific government policies
a public gathering of people to hear evidence from experts
citizens' written contributions to committees
Q3.Which of the following best describes the role of citizens in select committees?
Q4.Which of the following is an example of how public engagement with select committees can be improved?
Q5.Select committees are not just for criticising the Government; they gather to make recommendations aimed at improving policies.
Q6.What is the purpose of the Youth Select Committee?
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Can citizens play a bigger role in select committees?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Can citizens play a bigger role in select committees?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How can politicians involve citizens in direct decision making? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.