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This unit addresses children's participation in and contribution to school life. Its purpose is to develop children's skills to enable them to participate and communicate effectively in decision-making activities. The teaching activities use circle time and class discussions, and can be linked with the school council's activities. The sections in the unit have been written for use with different year groups, but each can be adapted and added to for other year groups. The activities also build on the early learning goals. For example, within 'Communication, language and literacy', children interact with others, negotiating plans and activities and taking turns to speak.
The unit uses playtime as an example of an area where skills of active citizenship can be developed and that provides opportunities for children to participate in a 'real-life' school issue. Children explore and discuss real issues by talking in pairs or as a whole class, and take part in decision-making. They contribute ideas and opinions and listen to the opinions of others, and thus all children feel engaged with and participate actively in their learning. The roles children play in school life beyond the formal curriculum, eg in lunchtimes and playtimes, school visits, assemblies and school productions, are also central to this unit. Ensuring that children are involved in and consulted about school policies and activities is a requirement of the National Healthy School Standard. The activities in this unit enable children to contribute to school developments and in wider community contexts.
Links can be made with English, history, geography, PE and art and design. Some links are indicated in the 'Points to note' section. The unit also links with unit 6 'Developing our school grounds' and unit 10 'Local democracy for young citizens'.
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