Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 9
The laws about knives and weapons
I can explain the law on knives and weapons.
- Year 9
The laws about knives and weapons
I can explain the law on knives and weapons.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- It is illegal to carry a knife or offensive weapon without a reasonable excuse, even if you don’t intend to use it.
- The law covers a wide range of weapons, not just knives (for example, items that are disguised as everyday objects).
- Online sales of knives and weapons are regulated, but attempting to buy or sell illegally is also a crime.
- Weapon-related crime and possession carries serious consequences.
Keywords
Offence - a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act
Possession - having something that belongs to you or is under your control, such as keeping an item, weapon or other object with you or in your care
Common misconception
If I carry a knife or weapon but don’t use it, I won’t get in trouble.
Carrying a knife or weapon in public without lawful reason is a crime regardless of intent. Police can and do take action even if the knife or weapon isn’t used.
To help you plan your year 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: The laws about knives and weapons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: The laws about knives and weapons, 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 Staying safe: what do I need to know about knife crime? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means to change or twist something away from its normal or true form?
Q2.Most young people carry knives.
Q3.What does it mean to 'glamorise' something?
Q4.Carrying a knife for protection makes you safer. True or false?
Q5.Match the scenario to whether it shows reality or glamorisation.
glamorisation - makes violence look attractive
reality - shows true consequences
reality - shows true legal consequences
Q6.Which statement is true about knife crime in the UK?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definitions.
a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act
having something that belongs to you or is under your control
a weapon that is designed to be concealed, e.g., in an everyday object