1. Approved Census image here
Years 1 to 6
I Count
An accurate census, filled in by all of us, helps build a snapshot of life in the UK.
Approved Census image here

2. I Count
This is vital because central and local government, health authorities and many other organisations use the census data to plan housing, education, health and transport services.

3. I Count
The census is older than the Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations!
In 4000BC, Babylonians used a census to plan how much food they needed to find for each member of the population.

4. What is the census today?
I Count
What is the census today?
The census is a count of all people and households in the United Kingdom.
We all fill the census in to make sure our voices are heard.
The results of the census help us plan services such as schools, hospitals, housing and transport across the country.

5. The census gives us all a chance to be heard
I Count
The census gives us all a chance to be heard
In small groups, let’s discuss:
What does it mean to have your voice heard?
What does it mean to have your say?
The different ways we can have our say.

6. I Count During our discussions we:
Listen to and respect each other’s opinions.
Respect each other’s choices.

7. I Count Where does my voice count at school?
Where does my voice count outside school?
Who can we talk to?
Have we ever had our say and made something change?
Is this democratic?
What is a democracy?

8. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Years 3 to 6
I Count
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Article 12 (respect for the views of the child):
“Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life.”

9. I Count
Let’s discuss:
How does this relate to your right to express your opinion?
How does this relate to your right to be listened to?
Can you think of times when children might not be listened to?
Why do these rights need to exist?
Useful links
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
A Summary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (see Articles 12 and 13)

10. Year 6
I Count
Task:
Write a persuasive letter to argue for a change you believe should happen in your local area or at school.
Remember to:
Think about who has power or influence in the area that the issue relates to.
Identify who the letter should be addressed to.
Select appropriate grammar and vocabulary, showing that you understand how such choices can change and enhance meaning.
Use a wide range of devices to build cohesion within and across paragraphs.

11. Nursery & Reception
I Count
What I think matters!

12. I Count Every 10 years we hold a census across the whole country.
The census gives everybody the chance to have their voices heard.
The government uses this information to plan for what the country will need over the next 10 years.

13. I Count
Today we’re going to look at how we can have our voices heard at school. Perhaps we will help the school plan!
We’re going to do this by asking our opinion about things that matter in the school.

14. I Count What does opinion mean?
An opinion means our thoughts about things in our life and in our world.

15. I Count What is your opinion about the playground?
What do you like best about the playground?
What do you think could make the playground even better?

16. I Count What is your opinion about school lunches?
What do you like best about school lunches?
What do you think could make the school lunches even better?

17. I Count When can you have your say about things you do or don’t like?
Who can you talk to?
Who are the people who should listen to you?