Aim/Learning Objective: To understand the election process and relate it to local Kent Youth County Council elections To take part in a mock election KEY WORDS : Campaign Manifesto Debate Kent Youth County Council KYCC STARTER TASK: Name and a decision made in the last 24 hours (tutor can explain why that decision was political) link to website for inspiration Youth Election Teaching Session Key stage 4 lesson

Learning outcomes for young people Students understand how politics impacts on their everyday life Students will have a greater understanding of why it is important to vote Students will be able to experience the decision making process from start to finish Students will be fully aware of Kent Youth County Council election process Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

Session Overview TimeTopicWhoTeacher input Equipment 5 minutesIcebreakerEveryoneFacilitationNone 10 minutes 35 minutesMock ElectionEveryoneFacilitationBallot slip Ballot box Materials for making posters 5 minutesEvaluate ActivityEveryoneFacilitationEvaluation sheets 5 minutesKYCC ElectionsEveryoneFacilitation and information Information leaflets Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

I Don’t Do Politics! When you think of the word ‘politics’ what comes into your mind? Elections, voting, decisions, power, parties, MPs, councils, Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont, Cardiff Bay, Europe, laws, rights, citizens, Lords, democracy, taxes, Prime Minister, boring, arguing, ceremony… Have you ever thought about how politics affects you? All of these things are affected by politics. Every day people involved in politics are making decisions that affect you, your family and your friends. So even if you think you don’t do politics… you do! Clean your teeth? The European Union has regulations to ensure that there aren’t too many chemicals in your favourite toothpaste Driven over a speed bump? Your local council is responsible for putting in road safety measures Used your mobile phone? The UK government sells the licences that networks use to provide your service. They also regulate and investigate potential health risks associated with phone technology. The European Union says what should happen to your mobile phone when you throw it away Going out tonight? Your local council monitors noise levels for music. The UK Parliament says at what age you can go into a pub and drink Listen to the radio? The UK Parliament says that radio stations need licences which determine what kind of music they play Met someone by the town clock? If you have a town or parish council in your area they will be responsible for maintaining it Bought a new pair of trainers? The UK government decide on how much VAT you have to pay on clothing Cooked your dinner? The European Union set levels for the amount of pesticides that can be used on food crops and the standards required to sell meat and dairy products Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

Activity Hold Your Own Election Instructions: Allocate students to tasks, there are many ways for students of all abilities to take part in mock elections, from being part of a campaign group to designing ballot papers and most importantly voting! 1. Select candidates who will stand for election. 2.Decide campaign issues for the elections. You could choose a national issue, eg smoking, or local issues such as school uniform. Design a manifesto to advertise the main points of your campaign. 3.Each candidate stands before the class to present their campaign and why people should vote for them. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

4.Design a ballot paper with list of candidates for students to vote for one option only. Make sure you have enough ballot papers for all eligible voters, but remember each person only gets one ballot paper. 5. The count. Delegate independent counters to count the votes once the polls have closed. They will need to be organised to ensure all the votes are counted properly. 6. Announce the results for each candidate, leaving the winning candidate until last. 7. Discuss with group what qualities the winning candidate had, was it popularity contest, well thought out campaign and issues, or a tightly fought contest. 8. Give handout Kent Youth County Council (KYCC) documentation. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1 Activity

Alternative Suggestions 1.Each candidate could debate a specific issue with the audience and hold a mini question time 2.If this lesson is being held over several sessions students could design posters and launch a school wide campaign Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

Lesson Outcome Everyone should…Most people should… Some people should… Skill: Make a decision on who to vote for and cast their vote Skill: Assist with a campaign by designing posters and debate on campaign issues Skill: Stand for election, design a manifesto and campaign on the issue they have chosen Everyone in our lesson today should: Be aware that every action we take involves a political decision Most people in our lesson today should: Understand why we vote and the voting process Some people in our lesson today should: Identify something they would like to change and be confident to proceed further and stand for election to campaign for change Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

- link to Kent Youth County Council - easy access to educational materials - Information on how to register to vote - link to free resources Further Resources: Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1