What are pressure groups?
I can explain the work that pressure groups do and how they achieve their aims.
What are pressure groups?
I can explain the work that pressure groups do and how they achieve their aims.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Pressure groups do not want power but try to shape government policy.
- Pressure groups fall into two categories: insider & outsider groups. They use a range of strategies: direct & indirect.
- Pressure groups may be successful without meeting all their aims; they can change public opinion or gain awareness.
Keywords
Pressure group - an organised group that put pressure on the Government, or those in power, to do something or change something
Influence - the power to affect or change someone's thoughts, actions, or decisions
Lobbying - when an individual or a group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign
Common misconception
Pressure groups are always fringe groups with little influence on the Government.
Pressure groups vary in size and influence. They can be insider groups which already support the Government in writing policies.
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What are pressure groups?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What are pressure groups?, 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 Why do we need the right to protest in a democracy? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
rules that are used to order the way in which a society behaves
disruptive or violent behaviour
a public demonstration or action expressing disapproval
Exit quiz
6 Questions
an organised group that put pressure on the Government to do something
trying to persuade someone in power to support your cause
the power to affect/change someone's thoughts, actions, or decisions