By Mrs Inkson (Head of Year 6)

As part of our new Unit of Inquiry on how government systems impact people’s lives, Year 6 recently took part in an immersive activity to explore different styles of rule. Each class rotated through four different governments - communism, monarchy, democracy, and dictatorship, giving them a first-hand experience of how these systems operate.

In the communist room, pupils worked hard building paper chains in return for ‘payment’ in jellybeans. However, no matter how much effort they put in, everyone received exactly the same reward. This led to some interesting discussions on fairness and motivation. Under monarchy, a queen ruled over the class, issuing royal decrees that had to be obeyed without question. sometimes beneficial, sometimes less so! Democracy gave pupils a voice, as they debated and voted on decisions affecting their experience. Meanwhile, in the dictatorship room, pupils saw how quickly circumstances could change, with privileges and jobs taken away unexpectedly, leading to much frustration and uncertainty!

This hands-on experience was eye-opening for Year 6, encouraging them to think critically about different political systems. It sparked fantastic discussions about fairness, power, and the impact of government decisions on everyday life, setting the stage for our exciting unit of inquiry ahead.