Young Citizens

The Big Legal Lesson is back in February 2025! ⚖️ The law is a vital part of our democratic society. Understanding how it works is essential to being an active and engaged citizen. 🏫 We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to learn about the legal justice system and how it affects their lives. So let's start a conversation about the law in schools! 📚 From the youngest students at primary school to post-16 students, The Big Legal Lesson provides teachers with the tools they need to confidently introduce the law into their classrooms. Since 2020, thousands of schools have taken part, reaching over 300,000 young people. This makes it the largest public legal education campaign of its kind. Last year, 93% of teachers agreed that taking part in The Big Legal Lesson gave their class a better understanding of the rule of law and how it applies to their lives. 100% of teachers said they’d recommend it to a colleague. Flick through the images to see what pupils and teachers had to say! By registering for free, educators will receive... 🔸 Launch assemblies 🔸 A 15-minute legal taster activity exploring how we all interact with the law every single day 🔸 A lesson plan exploring what the law is and who has the power to change the law A media support pack full of sample social media posts, branded graphics, press releases and more Thank you to international law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP for being our national sponsor again in 2025 and allowing us to offer The Big Legal Lesson to schools for free. Further thanks to our education partners The Law Society for their continued support in helping us deliver legal education resources for young people across the UK.

Youth voice in action! 🗣️ Our Chief Executive Ashley Hodges-Gibson joined Young Citizens representative Hanna at the Youth Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) launch event yesterday. Created in response to the Department for Education's Curriculum and Assessment Review, the Youth Shadow Panel will ensure that policy-makers consider the perspectives of young people themselves. The roundtable event was an opportunity for Youth Shadow Panel members to share their urgent priorities and honest lived experiences, outlining what they would like to change or retain in the curriculum and assessments. During the discussion, many wanted to see a more relevant curriculum with links to the outside world, as well as assessments that prioritise skills and project-based learning, so that everyone can realise their potential during education. Mirroring the Government's official review, the panel will be delivering roadshows on key themes, youth-led dissemination events and a mass call for evidence over the next few months. Teachers! Help your pupils have their say by running a feedback session in class before 12th January 2025: https://lnkd.in/e4Dv-tgt I have a voice CIC | National Union of Students (UK) | National Youth Agency | The Scouts | Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) | Save the Children UK | RECLAIM | The Duke of Edinburgh's Award | UK Youth

Teachers, help your children and young people have their say! The Youth Shadow Panel wants to hear from young people about their experience of school or college. ✅ What do they like? ❌ What needs to change? 💡 What could be better? Encourage and support them to share their views through a short survey, or get creative with pictures, videos, or art. They can also share their thoughts on social media, which will help to make sure education reflects the priorities of young people. 🗓️ Deadline: 12 January 2025 Find out more and get lesson plans at https://lnkd.in/eGxNtSDQ Shout out to the coalition of organisations supporting this campaign: National Union of Students (UK), Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK), The Scouts, I have a voice CIC, UK Youth, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, RECLAIM, National Youth Agency

We are proud to support the youth-led Shadow Curriculum and Assessment Review! 📚 The Government launched its Curriculum and Assessment Review this summer - a once in a generation opportunity to reform what students are taught and how they are assessed. It is essential young people’s voices are heard in the review 📢 We have come together with other leading youth organisations to ensure children and young people have a clear and accessible way to feed into the review. Young participants from our #MockTrials programme will represent Young Citizens on the youth shadow panel, chaired by NUS President Amira Campbell 🤝 We are excited to support this project and make sure children and young people get the representation they deserve in the Curriculum and Assessment Review process. For more information on what to expect and how you can get involved, visit shadowpanel.uk National Union of Students (UK) | Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) | The Scouts | I have a voice CIC | UK Youth | The Duke of Edinburgh's Award | National Youth Agency

A little insight into the power of our partnerships. Thank you to CMS ESG for supporting climate education 🌏

A number of our members have volunteered with Young Citizens over the years. This is an excellent programme which gives school and college aged young people the opportunity to experience a court from all angles. Rebecca Keeves can be seen below having judged a regional competition held in Birmingham and the final at the RCJ. Here is what she had to say: "Sometimes we forget just how special it is to do the jobs we do. The preparation and dedication these young people do and have is absolutely inspiring. It is also crucial that the participants see that the Bar is open to all people, regardless of background. I would strongly encourage all lawyers to offer their time as either a judge or a mentor in these competitions." If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact Chambers, Rebecca, or Young Citizens. #youngpeople #studentsoflinkedin #barristers #solicitors #cilex

Congratulations to our Data Administrator, Nora Toumi, on winning the “Incredible Data Analyst” award at the Supermums awards last week 🏆 Nora joined us last year after receiving Salesforce training from Supermums. She has been such an amazing addition to the Young Citizens team, streamlining our data systems and offering brilliant insights and innovations ☁️ Well done Nora - and thank you to everyone at Supermums! #Salesforce #Trailblazer #SalesforceAdmin

Let's celebrate the #PowerOfProBono! 🎉 Emily Andrew is a Third Six Pupil with Citadel Chambers. She is a proud alumna of our Mock Trial Competitions, having progressed to the National Final in Edinburgh with her school back in 2019. Since 2023, she has been giving back as a volunteer with Young Citizens, supporting our immersive legal education events and mentoring aspiring students. To mark Pro Bono Week UK, we spoke to Emily about life as a pupil barrister and why wanted to become one of our #MockTrials volunteers. We rely on the support of over 1,000 volunteers each year to make the competitions happen, and cannot thank them enough for their time and wisdom! 🙏 #LegalVolunteers #ProBono #Volunteering #LegalEducation https://lnkd.in/eTSpJRBi

🚨 Important changes could be on the way for citizenship teaching. A new Bill tabled by life peer Lord Harries is proposing updates to the framework of fundamental British values education first set out in the Government's Prevent strategy of 2011. The new list of values would be: democracy, the rule of law, freedom, individual worth, and respect for the environment. These would be referred to under the new title of "Values of British Citizenship". ✨ Young Citizens warmly welcome these proposals. We believe a values-based citizenship education is crucial for fostering a sense of identity and belonging among children and young people. It helps them understand their rights and responsibilities, promotes social cohesion, and prepares them to contribute positively to society. At a time when global political landscapes are shifting, it is essential that pupils have a clear grasp of the essential values that underpin our democracy. Revitalising and clarifying the role of citizenship in education, without needing to reinvent the curriculum completely, will encourage civic participation amongst young people and ultimately strengthen our communities. 📺 Our President, Baroness D'Souza, spoke about the importance of citizenship education during a debate in the House of Lords last week. Hear her comments in the video below! 🎥 Video courtesy of Parliament TV #BritishValues #CitizenshipEducation #Citizenship

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Do you have time to spare on 9th November or 23rd November? Young Citizens are looking for any pupil barrister, barrister, judge, or solicitor, to judge the Bar Mock Trial Competition in Birmingham! This is such a rewarding experience for all those involved! Myself and Jack Felvus took part in the competition. Now, we are both qualified Barristers and have the most amazing opportunites with YC! If you are interested, please send me a message, or email [email protected].