Democracy Assembly for Primary Schools – British Values
This democracy assembly for primary schools helps children understand one of the five fundamental British Values and why everyone should have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. Through the story of the Suffragettes, pupils explore the importance of voting, fairness and the right to be heard. Children consider what democracy means in their own lives and how they can use their voices responsibly when something feels unfair.
Suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
If pupils are new to the topic, this assembly works particularly well alongside our Introduction to the Five British Values assembly, which provides an overview of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.
What is democracy?
Democracy is a system in which people have a say in the decisions that affect them. One of the most familiar ways people take part in a democracy is by voting.
For primary-aged children, democracy can be introduced through experiences they already understand. They may have voted for school councillors, chosen between different activities or contributed their ideas to decisions in class.
This assembly begins by asking children whether they have ever voted and whether it would be fair if only some people were allowed to have a vote. These simple questions provide an accessible starting point for exploring why democracy matters.
Schools wanting to explore all five values together can also use our British Values Introduction assembly before moving on to individual assemblies such as this one.
What can the Suffragettes teach children about democracy?
The assembly uses the story of the Suffragettes to show children that the right to vote has not always been shared equally.
For many years, women in Britain were not allowed to vote in elections. The Suffragettes campaigned to change this, holding marches, displaying signs and using the colours purple, white and green to represent their movement.
Some Suffragettes were arrested and imprisoned for protesting, while others went on hunger strike to make sure their voices were heard. Emmeline Pankhurst became one of the best-known leaders of the movement. Their campaigning contributed to major changes in voting rights and represented an important step forward for democracy in Britain.
By learning about the Suffragettes, children begin to understand that democracy is not simply about putting a cross in a box. It is also about having a voice, being listened to and standing up when something is unfair.
Why is democracy important in primary schools?
British Values can sometimes feel like large or complicated ideas, but democracy is something children can experience within everyday school life.
School councils, pupil questionnaires, class votes and opportunities to share opinions all give children experience of having their voices heard. They also help pupils understand that democracy involves responsibilities as well as rights.
During this assembly, children consider whether every citizen should have a voice and reflect on how it might feel to have no say in the way they live.
These discussions help pupils understand why listening to other people matters, why everyone deserves a voice and why decisions should not simply be controlled by the most powerful person in the room.
For more ideas about embedding these values beyond individual assemblies, you could also direct staff to our British Values resources or hints and tips for assemblies page.
Who was Emmeline Pankhurst?
Emmeline Pankhurst was one of the most famous leaders of the Suffragette movement.
She campaigned for women to have the right to vote and helped draw attention to the unfairness of excluding half of the population from important political decisions.
The assembly uses a quote from Emmeline Pankhurst as the focus for reflection, asking children to think about why society benefits when everybody has the opportunity to contribute.
This provides a useful opportunity to connect the historical story of the Suffragettes with the assembly's wider message: everyone's voice matters.
How can children demonstrate democracy?
Children do not need to wait until they are old enough to vote before they can take part in democratic life.
They can listen respectfully to other people's opinions, contribute ideas, take part in school council elections, vote when opportunities arise and accept that sometimes the majority may choose something different from what they wanted.
Democracy also means recognising when something is unfair and using our voice in an appropriate way to try to make things better.
The final challenge in this assembly asks children:
What would you stand up for if something felt unfair?
This moves the learning beyond simply defining democracy and encourages pupils to think about what the value might look like in their own lives.
What does the Bible teach about having a voice?
For schools choosing to use the optional collective worship elements, this assembly links democracy to the story of Esther.
Esther was a Jewish woman who became Queen of Persia. When Haman planned to destroy the Jewish people, Esther took the risk of approaching the King and speaking on behalf of her people.
Her actions demonstrate how one voice can make a difference and remind children that powerful people's ideas should not automatically be considered more important than everybody else's.
The assembly's Bible slides explore Esther's courage and encourage children to think about using their own voices to stand up for what they believe is right.
Optional collective worship materials also include a short prayer asking children to use their voices kindly and wisely and to care about the voices of others.
This democracy assembly includes:
A ready-to-use PowerPoint
A clear, easy-to-follow assembly structure
An introduction to democracy
The story of the Suffragettes
Key vocabulary including democracy, protest, citizen and the right to vote
Discussion and reflection questions
An Emmeline Pankhurst reflection
Optional collective worship slides
A Bible link to the story of Esther
A short prayer
Suggestions for extending the learning throughout the week
FAQs
What is democracy for primary school children?
Democracy means people having a voice in the decisions that affect them. Children can experience democracy through activities such as school council elections, class votes and opportunities to share their opinions.
What are the five British Values?
The five British Values are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. This assembly focuses specifically on democracy, although we offer a British Values Introduction assembly.
How does this assembly teach democracy?
The assembly uses the story of the Suffragettes to explore what can happen when people are denied a voice. Children learn about women's campaign for the right to vote before considering why fairness, voting and being listened to remain important today.
Is this democracy assembly suitable for KS1 and KS2?
Yes. The assembly is designed for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and uses simple questions, historical facts and discussion to make the concept of democracy accessible across the primary age range.
Does the assembly include the Suffragettes?
Yes. The Suffragettes provide the main historical example within the assembly. Children learn why they campaigned, some of the methods they used and why gaining voting rights for women represented an important step forward for democracy.
Does the assembly include collective worship?
Yes. Optional collective worship slides link democracy and having a voice to the Bible story of Esther. A short prayer is also included.
Do I need to plan anything for this assembly?
No. The assembly is designed to be ready to deliver. Simply read through the slides beforehand and personalise anything you wish to adapt for your own school.
Assembly Resources:
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