Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

the eu & brexit

FoundationHigherAll Boards

4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: the eu & brexit

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about the eu & brexit. Then check against the key terms: key terms from the eu & brexit. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: key terms from the eu & brexit.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: the eu & brexit. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Citizenship Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: explain the key ideas of the eu & brexit

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about the eu & brexit.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: the eu & brexit

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on the eu & brexit. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: The EU began as the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and evolved into a political and economic union of 27 member states cooperating on trade, law, and policy.
Key Fact: The UK joined the European Communities in 1973. A 1975 referendum confirmed membership with 67% voting to stay in. Membership gave access to the single market and freedom of movement.
Key Fact: The 2016 EU referendum result: 51.9% voted Leave, 48.1% voted Remain. Turnout was 72.2%. England and Wales voted Leave; Scotland and Northern Ireland voted Remain.
Key Fact: Key Leave arguments: regaining parliamentary sovereignty (making all UK laws in the UK), controlling immigration (ending freedom of movement), making independent trade deals, and saving EU budget contributions (£17.4bn gross in 2019).
Key Fact: Key Remain arguments: economic benefits of the single market (access to 450 million consumers), freedom to live and work across the EU, cooperation on security and the environment, and the EU's role in maintaining peace in Europe.
Key Fact: Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty triggered the formal leaving process on 29 March 2017. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: explain the key ideas of the eu & brexit

Answer:

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: the eu & brexit

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: key terms from the eu & brexit. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Work through the practice questions on the revision notes page for this topic.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: the eu & brexit

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Extended Answer

Extended question: Full-Mark Response Evaluate the impact of Brexit on the UK's relationship with Europe. [12 marks] <div class="

Brexit fundamentally changed the UK's relationship with Europe. The UK left the EU single market and customs union, creating new trade barriers. Businesses face customs checks, paperwork, and tariffs on some goods, increasing costs and reducing trade with the EU — previously the UK's largest trading partner. Freedom of movement ended, meaning UK citizens can no longer automatically live and work in the EU. This has affected industries like hospitality, agriculture, and health that relied on EU workers. University participation in Erasmus+ was also lost. The Northern Ireland Protocol created a unique situation where Northern Ireland effectively remains in the EU single market for goods to avoid a hard border with the Republic. The Windsor Framework eased some tensions but the issue remains politically sensitive. However, the UK retains connections through NATO, the Council of Europe, and bilateral relationships. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement preserves tariff-free trade for most goods, and the UK has joined CPTPP in the Indo-Pacific. Overall, Brexit has made the UK-EU relationship more distant and complex, with real economic and social costs, but the two sides continue to coope

Exam Tips: Always present both sides of the Brexit debate — it was closely divided (51.9% vs 48.1%) | Distinguish between the EU (27 member states) and Europe (geographic continent) — they are not the same | Use correct terminology: 'single market' not 'common market', 'freedom of movement' not 'open borders'
Common Errors: ✗ The UK was forced to join the EU. ✓ The UK chose to join the European Communities in 1973, and this was confirmed by a 1975 referendum where 67% voted to stay in. ✗ Brexit means the UK has no relationship with the EU. ✓ The UK and EU have a Trade and Cooperation Agreement and continue to trade and cooperate, though on different terms than before. ✗ The EU makes all the laws for member states. ✓ EU law applies in specific areas where member states have agreed to cooperate. Member states still make most domestic laws independently, though EU law takes priority in areas it covers.
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how the eu & brexit connects to another Citizenship Studies topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of the eu & brexit
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in the eu & brexit?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)