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Explore UK power and tradition in this PSHE/citizenship lesson on constitutional monarchy. Includes booklet tasks, clips, quizzes, and creative work.

Full Description:
This engaging lesson introduces students to the concept of a constitutional monarchy and explores how power is shared between the monarch, Parliament, and the people in the UK today. Suitable for KS3 or KS4 (Years 9–11), it supports the PSHE Association’s personal development framework and the citizenship curriculum.

Lesson Focus:

What is a constitutional monarchy?
What happens during the State Opening of Parliament?
What does the Black Rod tradition symbolise?
Who holds power in the UK today?
What’s Included:

Printable student booklet with structured tasks and key vocabulary
Linked YouTube clips showing the Black Rod tradition from BBC and Parliament
Do Now starter task using historical imagery
Fill-in-the-gap literacy task on the Black Rod ceremony
Hinge question to check understanding of constitutional monarchy
Creative activity: students design their own symbolic ceremony to represent power lying with the people
Opportunities for class discussion, independent work, and drawing-based reflection
Learning Objectives:

Must: Describe the State Opening of Parliament
Should: Explain the symbolism of the Black Rod tradition
Could: Create a modern tradition to show that power lies with the people
This lesson is ideal for introducing students to British values, democracy, and the role of tradition in modern governance

This is Lesson 1 of a 7-lesson unit exploring UK democracy, human rights, and global citizenship but can work as a stand alone lesson.