How is local government structured?
I can describe the branches of local government and the different roles within it.
How is local government structured?
I can describe the branches of local government and the different roles within it.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Local government in the UK are structured into single and two-tiers.
- Single-tiers include unitary authorities, London boroughs and Metropolitan borough councils.
- Two-tiers include county and district councils.
- Council roles include local councillors, cabinet members, backbench councillors, mayors and council officers.
Keywords
Local government - a system of government that operates at a local level providing services to its community
Local councillor - a person elected to represent their ward or division and the people who live in it; they provide a bridge between the community and the council
Council officer - often those with specialist knowledge who work for the council; support local councillors to make decisions for the local area
Common misconception
Every local government runs in the same way.
Local governments do not all run in the same way. There are different type of councils including, county and district councils.
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How is local government structured?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How is local government structured?, 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 4 citizenship lessons from the Where does power reside in the UK? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
UK Parliament has responsibility over national laws and policies.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can make some of their own laws.
focuses on issues in counties and smaller communities.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a smaller type of government that provides services to its community
a person elected to represent their ward and the people who live in it
those with specialist knowledge who work for the council