Every state secondary school in England this week received guidance on involving councillors and councils in citizenship classes. How can schools encourage young people to become more involved with their local council? The handy LGA guide has landed on citizenship coordinators desks up and down the country, and is full of tried and tested lesson ideas for all age groups, designed to bring schools and local politics together. Ben Dudley, communications manager at the LGA said: “We know these lesson ideas work, because we’ve gathered them from schools and councils who have developed them together and know them to be effective.” The schools guide is part of a series of ‘how to’ booklets supporting the LGA’s local democracy campaign. Similar guides for councils were produced last year, offering a range of ideas for events for town halls to try out with local young people. “They proved very popular with councils, so we are using the same approach with schools this year,” added Mr Dudley. The LGA’s local democracy campaign is about getting young people more aware of, and involved with, their local council. Local democracy week takes place during the third week of October every year, but the ideas in the ‘how to’ guides can be run at any time. Ipsos MORI research for the LGA shows that just one in three 11-16 year olds has ever met a councillor or MP. But those who have “are more likely to express feelings of political engagement and interest”. To receive a guide telephone the LGA on 020 7664 3131 or email info@lga.gov.uk

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22 September 2008
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