This Unit has 3 sections designed to cover work in either Yr 7,8 and 9 or as a self contained Consumer Education package deliverable as an intense experience.

This unit has been developed by Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards Service in conjunction with Cambridgeshire PSHE Service and all necessary teaching notes and activities can be accessed via the Ask Cedric website.

Unit 1 - Local Governent and its role in helping the Consumer
Students will think about what is meant by the term 'Local Government' and understand the difference between this and Central Government. They will gather an understanding of the responsibilities of local government and examine the different departments and services that exist in their own locality.

Students will also look at the importance of the Trading Standards Department within local government and will look at the range of areas that the Department covers. Students will also take a particular look at the area of Food Safety and learn how Trading Standards and Environmental Health work together in this area.

Unit 2 - Central Government and its role in helping the Consumer
Students will look at the difference between Parliament and the Government and the split between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Students will go on to explore the importance of voting and will look at the how and why a general election is held. They will then go on to explore the organisation that exist at a national level to look after the interest of consumers.

Unit 3 - Europe and its role in helping the Consumer
Students will learn about the history of the European Union and the different countries that make up the EU as well as looking at the significance of the Euro .

Students will also look at the different institutions that exist within the EU and examine the role that each plays in the running of the Union. They will also look at the different types of protections that exist within the EU for consumers.

All of these Units address the following aspects of the key stage 3 Citizenship programme of study:

Knowledge and Understanding about becoming informed Citizens
Pupils should be taught about:

1c central and local government, the public services they offer, how they are financed and the opportunity to contribute

1d the key characteristics of parliamentary and other forms of government

1e the electoral system and the importance of voting

1f the work of community-based, national and international voluntary groups

1i the world as a global community and the political, economic, environmental and social implications of this and the role of the European Union, the Commonwealth and the United Nations

Developing skills of enquiry and communication
Pupils should be taught to:

2a think about topical, political, spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues, problems and events by analysing information and its sources, including ICT based sources

2b justify orally and in writing a personal opinion about such issues, problems or events

2c contribute to group and exploratory class discussions and take part in debates

Developing skills of participation and responsible action
Pupils should be taught to:

3a use their imagination to consider other people's experiences and be able to think about, express and explain views that are not their own

3b negotiate, decide and take part responsibly in both school and community-based activities

3c reflect on the process of participation

At the end of KS3:

Most pupils will have an awareness of the differences between local and central government and they way in which both are set up and run. They will understand the significance of the EU and the different countries that are member states. They will understand the significance of voting and will know the different protection that is offered to consumer at each level.

Some pupils will not have made so much progress and will have some understanding of the different levels of Government but will find some difficulty with the way in which each level is set up and run. These students will have a basic awareness of the types of help that each level of government offers consumers.

Some pupils, will have progresse further and have a clear understanding of the differences between the different levels of Government. They will be able to understand the importance of voting and will be able to examine the effects that the EU has on their own lives.

They will be able to make a distinction between the different ways in which these levels are set up and will understand the responsibilities that each has in helping consumers.

It is helpful if pupils have:

• Experience of speaking in front of others
  
• Small groups work
  
• Individual and groups research
  
• Knowledge of how to gather information from books, articles and from the internet
  
• The ability to critically evaluate literature
  

These Units will offer opportunities to introduce/reinforce the following Speaking and Listening learning objectives

Speaking

• Reviewing their strengths and limitations when speaking to different audiences and in different contexts
• Presenting a talk which holds the attention of an unfamiliar audience

Listening

• Identify the underlying themes, implications and issues raised by a talk
• Recognise how people use language to signal their status or to exert power over others

These units will offer opportunities to introduce/reinforce the following Text Level learning objectives

Writing

• Integrate diverse kinds of information into a coherent account using formal and impersonal language
• Explain complex processes and ideas effectively and economically in print and on screen
• Present a personal view with clarity and conviction
• Use persuasive techniques and rhetoric to gain the attention and influence the responses of readers

Reading

• Collate and synthesise information from a range of sources of shaping material to meet the reader's needs
• Evaluate the presentation, reliability and validity of information available through print, ICT and other media sources
• Explore the ways the nature and the purpose of the media products can influence presentation, content and meaning and how audiences reactions may vary.

This Unit has clear links to other subjects within the wider curriculum, including:

• Citizenship
  
• PSHE
  
• Maths
  
• History
  
• ICT
  
• Geography
  
• Economics
  

Every suggested teaching area on the teaching plan is linked to:

Teaching Notes
Suggested Teaching Activities
Suitable materials on other websites

You may also wish to speak to your own local Trading Standards Department for help and advice on Consumer Education. You can find your local office in the telephone directory or by typing in your School's postcode on the Trading Standards Institute website.