Democracy in Action? Developing Political Literacy

We will explore core questions such as What is democracy?  and How can young people begin to participate? We will also consider how democracy can be fostered in the classroom—what it looks like in practice, from encouraging student voice and choice to modeling inclusive decision‑making and collaborative problem solving.

This course is perfect for teachers who want to:

• Develop pupil voice strategies naturally by embedding opportunities for children and young people to share ideas and influence classroom life.
• Integrate democratic processes into learning through activities that model collaboration, choice, and shared responsibility.
• Align practice with Article 12 of the UNCRC, ensuring pupils’ right to be heard is respected and acted upon.
• Build confidence in exploring issues of democracy and citizenship with learners, helping you to navigate complex topics in an age‑appropriate way.
• Empower young people as active citizens, building confidence, resilience, and engagement in both school and community contexts.

Why should I attend?

• Democracy education is a national priority, and this session supports Scotland’s wider commitment to civic participation and pupil voice. 
• Deepen your knowledge of why participation matters,and how it builds trust, strengthens communities, and keeps democracy alive through ongoing involvement. 
• Learn and share good practice in democratic education with colleagues across Scotland, strengthening your professional network and classroom approaches.
• Leave with practical strategies and ready‑to‑use resources that embed democratic processes naturally into your teaching, empowering young people to see their voices as meaningful and impactful.

What should I expect?

🧠 Interactive activities to deepen professional understanding

 💭Practical strategies to support critical thinking and questioning 

🧰 Classroom Tools and methodologies to use in your context 

🧑‍🏫 Examples of good practice across Scotland

🔗 Links across the curriculum and to current frameworks and policy agendas

📝 Signposting useful resources to support your journey

👥 Time to reflect and discuss with colleagues

When you undertake free professional learning with the Scottish DECs we will continue to hold your information until this Scottish Government funded programme concludes. This is in line with the GDPR legitimate interest provision. We will always strive to be fair, transparent and lawful in the way we hold or use your information.