Civil partnerships
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the importance of civil partnerships and why people might choose to enter into a civil partnership.
Key learning points
- Civil partnership is a legally recognised union with rights similar to marriage.
- People might choose civil partnership for legal, personal or financial reasons.
- The Civil Partnership Act 2004 is the key legislation governing civil partnerships in the UK.
- Civil partnerships are available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What word describes 'a legally or formally recognised union of two people as partners in a personal relationship'?
Q2.Match each term with its correct definition.
official relationship status in law
individual decision about life
special celebration or ritual
state acceptance of relationship
Q3.Which of these is not typically a reason why people choose to get married?
Q4.Match the relationship concept with why it might be important to couples.
protection under the law for couples
society acknowledging the relationship
shared money and property benefits
provides personal wellbeing
Q5.Which of these situations would most likely require legal rights and protections for couples?
Q6.What is the minimum age for marriage in England and Wales?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a civil partnership?
Q2.Who can form a civil partnership in the UK today?
Q3.Which of the following is a legal benefit of civil partnership that cohabiting couples do not have?
Q4.Match the term to the definition.
the law that gave legal recognition to civil partnerships in the UK
the process of legally ending a civil partnership
rights recognised and protected by the law
Q5.A civil partnership ceremony must not include any content.
Q6.Match the reason for why some people might want to have a civil partnership to the reason type.
protection for property and separation
accessing pension benefits
feel marriage is too traditional or tied to religion
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Civil partnerships, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Civil partnerships, 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 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Healthy relationships: How do relationships change? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.