Overview
The law affects every aspect of our lives, but children and young people rarely learn about it in the classroom. We want to empower teachers to start a conversation about the law in schools.
Running throughout February 2025, The Big Legal Lesson provides the tools you need to confidently introduce the law into your classroom.
What’s in the resource packs?
The Big Legal Lesson is a starting point for pupils to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to navigate an increasingly complex world. Pupils explore questions such as:
- What is the law and how does it affect my daily life?
- Who has the power to make and change the law? How do recent changes to the law affect me?
- What new laws would I like to see and how can I make my voice heard by those in power?
Share the good news!
Send us your photos, ideas and feedback via social media @YoungCitizensUK using the hashtag #TheBigLegalLesson.
“I had positive feedback from every class due to the active nature of the activities, and the children thoroughly enjoyed learning about their rights and responsibilities.”
Primary School Teacher, The Big Legal Lesson
Looking for the secondary and further education resources? Access the resource pack for ages 11-18+ here.
Explore more resources about the law in our resource library
More Assemblies resources
Inspirational People – Gandhi
This assembly is an introduction to the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Some of the themes that the assembly looks at can be further explored in the lessons: Inspirational…
World Female Ranger Day (KS2 assembly)
During this assembly children will learn about World Female Ranger Day. Pupils will explore where the continent of Africa is and learn about its unique wildlife, and why it needs protecting…
Taking Responsibility (assembly)
During this assembly pupils consider what the word responsibility means. You can find the ‘Taking responsibility’ lesson plan on the KS1 lesson page. The PowerPoint for the lesson is the…
More Lessons resources
Tackling Discrimination (SmartLaw Subscription)
This lesson asks students to explore whether or not we have a moral or legal obligation to tackle discrimination when we see it. It can be delivered as a stand-alone…
Who’s to Blame? (SmartLaw Subscription)
This activity is based on the case of R v. Dudley and Stephens (1884) – two sailors accused of murdering cabin boy Richard Parker, after being cast adrift on the…
Where Do You Stand?
In this lesson pupils will learn to express whether they agree or disagree with an idea. Pupils will then be introduced to the concept of weighing up arguments by considering…
More Understanding Rules & The Law resources
Rights and Responsibilities
In this lesson pupils will develop an understanding of the terms ‘rights’ and ‘responsibilities’ and how they balance one another. They will then discuss and prepare a class charter that…
Being An Online Citizen
During this lesson pupils consider their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens, focusing on how the online world can be used as a force for good. Pupils consider what skills,…
Taking Responsibility
This lesson is based around the clever traditional poem about four children named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. It introduces children to the idea of taking responsibility in the context…
More KS1 (ages 5-7) resources
Difficult Decisions
Over a series of short sessions, pupils will have the opportunity to consider simple social and moral dilemmas which may arise in day to day life. Pupils will be encouraged…
We Explore the World Around Us (poster)
We are open to new ideas and are always curious. To access this content, register for our School Subscription.
Healthy Eating
In this lesson pupils will learn about the importance of eating the right amounts of different food groups as part of a healthy lifestyle. Pupils will have the opportunity to…
More KS2 (ages 7-11) resources
The Gift of Hope
During this assembly pupils are told the ancient Greek myth, Pandora’s Box. Pupils use the story to reflect on how hope can sustain us through difficult times. To access this content,…
How to Design a Questionnaire
A simple guide to the things you need to think about when designing surveys and questionnaires, from making sure the questions are easy to understand, to ensuring you ask the…
Preventing Infectious Diseases
This lesson should be delivered as a follow-up to the lesson ‘What is an infectious disease?’ In this lesson pupils will recap their knowledge of infectious diseases, they will then…