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Lesson 4 of 4
  • Year 9

Civil partnerships

I can explain the importance of civil partnerships and why people might choose to enter into a civil partnership.

Lesson 4 of 4
New
New
  • Year 9

Civil partnerships

I can explain the importance of civil partnerships and why people might choose to enter into a civil partnership.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Civil partnership is a legally recognised union with rights similar to marriage.
  2. People might choose civil partnership for legal, personal or financial reasons.
  3. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 is the key legislation governing civil partnerships in the UK.
  4. Civil partnerships are available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
  5. Civil partnerships offer similar legal protections as marriage.

Keywords

  • Civil partnership - a legal union that gives two people similar rights and responsibilities to marriage

  • Legal rights - rights recognised and protected by the law

Common misconception

Civil partnership is only for same-sex couples.

Since 2019, civil partnerships have been available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples in the UK.


To help you plan your year 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Civil partnerships, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to speak to your DSL or RSHE lead before teaching this lesson as it discusses separation and inheritance in the event of someone's death.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What word describes 'a legally or formally recognised union of two people as partners in a personal relationship'?

Correct Answer: marriage, a marriage

Q2.
Match each term with its correct definition.

Correct Answer:legal union,official relationship status in law

official relationship status in law

Correct Answer:personal choice,individual decision about life

individual decision about life

Correct Answer:formal ceremony,special celebration or ritual

special celebration or ritual

Correct Answer:government recognition,state acceptance of relationship

state acceptance of relationship

Q3.
Which of these is not typically a reason why people choose to get married?

to show love and commitment
to gain legal protections
to follow family traditions
Correct answer: to avoid paying taxes entirely

Q4.
Match the relationship concept with why it might be important to couples.

Correct Answer:legal rights,protection under the law for couples

protection under the law for couples

Correct Answer:public recognition,society acknowledging the relationship

society acknowledging the relationship

Correct Answer:financial security,shared money and property benefits

shared money and property benefits

Correct Answer:emotional support,provides personal wellbeing

provides personal wellbeing

Q5.
Which of these situations would most likely require legal rights and protections for couples?

going on a date together
Correct answer: making medical decisions for a partner
choosing what to watch on TV
deciding where to go for dinner

Q6.
What is the minimum age for marriage in England and Wales?

Correct Answer: 18, 18 years old, eighteen, eighteen years old

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a civil partnership?

a type of friendship
a religious marriage
Correct answer: a legally recognised union

Q2.
Who can form a civil partnership in the UK today?

only same-sex couples
only couples over 21
Correct answer: both same-sex and opposite-sex couples
only couples with children

Q3.
Which of the following is a legal benefit of civil partnership that cohabiting couples do not have?

sharing a home
Correct answer: automatic inheritance rights
joint holiday bookings

Q4.
Match the term to the definition.

Correct Answer:Civil Partnership Act 2004,the law that gave legal recognition to civil partnerships in the UK

the law that gave legal recognition to civil partnerships in the UK

Correct Answer:dissolution,the process of legally ending a civil partnership

the process of legally ending a civil partnership

Correct Answer:legal rights,rights recognised and protected by the law

rights recognised and protected by the law

Q5.
A civil partnership ceremony must not include any content.

Correct Answer: religious

Q6.
Match the reason for why some people might want to have a civil partnership to the reason type.

Correct Answer:legal,protection for property and separation

protection for property and separation

Correct Answer:financial,accessing pension benefits

accessing pension benefits

Correct Answer:personal,feel marriage is too traditional or tied to religion

feel marriage is too traditional or tied to religion