Skills for Life: Democracy In Action
Democracy in action is a 20 hour Skills for Life unit about who makes decisions locally and nationally in Wales, how people can have their say, and how to research, debate and decide on a political or local issue. It is one unit that learners combine with others into a Skills for Life or Skills for Work Award, Certificate or Diploma, from Entry 1 to Level 2. Literacy demand is high: every level requires discussion or debate, and Level 1 and Level 2 add reading source material, presenting an argument and justifying a decision. Numeracy is light and optional, mainly surveys and mock election results.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 20
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of literacy work
- High
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
How this unit is assessed
- Entry Level (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3): Three learning outcomes (decision makers who represent others, ways people share their views, taking part in a group discussion or debate) with assessment criteria at Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours.
- Level 1 and Level 2: Four learning outcomes (what democracy means, how people participate, researching, presenting and discussing viewpoints on an issue, making an informed decision) with assessment criteria at Level 1 and Level 2. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours.
Skills that use Vocabulary, spelling, grammar
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Explaining how democracy and decisions affect people
Learners describe or explain key features of a democratic system, how local decisions affect individuals and communities, and why participation matters, rising from describing at Level 1 to explaining and evaluating at Level 2. Entry learners give statements and examples about decision makers. These are assessment criteria and need subject vocabulary such as Senedd, devolution and representation.
Literacy: Vocabulary, spelling, grammar, Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils write a short paragraph explaining who runs the school council and one decision it made, using the words vote and representative.
- Year 8
- Pupils make a labelled diagram of who decides what in Wales, the council, the Senedd and the UK Parliament, with a sentence explaining each.
- Year 9
- Pupils write an explanation of how a recent council decision, such as changes to bin collections, affects three different groups in their community.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcomes 1 and 2, assessment criteria 1.1 to 2.2, page 6; Entry Level, learning outcomes 1 and 2, page 5
“Explain at least three key features of a democratic”
Progression step 3
I can use varied, appropriate and precise vocabulary including area of learning and experience/discipline-specific words for different purposes.
I can write a comprehensive account of a topic, theme or viewpoint.
Progression step 4
I can adapt my writing style, choosing and using the best structures for different contexts and purposes, e.g. to successfully describe, explain, persuade, discuss.
I have experienced a range of area of learning and experience/discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary, and can use them in my own communication.
Good to know
- Unit codes run from Entry 1 to Level 2: "S605E1" to "S605L2", and the unit is 20 guided learning hours (Unit overview, page 3).
- Spoken evidence counts. The pack says evidence "may be verbal, written, practical, or visual" and extended written work "is not required unless appropriate" (Sources of evidence, page 10).
- Assessors judge the criteria, not accuracy of writing: judgements "should focus on meeting the standard, not spelling or presentation unless specifically assessed" (Sources of evidence, page 10).
- Debates can be filmed for the portfolio: the pack lists "Audio or video recordings" of debates, role plays or interviews and "Learner observation records" (Sources of evidence, page 10).
- Suggested activities and assessment tasks are optional: the specification says "These tasks are not mandatory" (section 4.1, page 18).
- AI tools must be acknowledged. "Copying or paraphrasing whole responses of AI-generated content" is listed as AI misuse (Specification section 4.6, page 21).
Links with other qualifications
The pack names links with GCSE Social Studies and GCSE History, and the work on Senedd and council decisions, rights and civic participation also sits close to the Social Studies and History units of Foundation Humanities. The debate, viewpoint and source reading work overlaps with spoken language, persuasive writing and reading non-fiction in GCSE English Language and Literature. Within the Skills Suite the pack suggests delivering it alongside Community participation, Equality, diversity, and inclusion, Ethical choices, Everyday law, Values for life, Fairness and inclusion in the workplace, Rights and responsibilities in the workplace, Exploring career pathways and Working in Wales.
Source: WJEC Democracy in action unit delivery and assessment pack, read with the WJEC Entry 1 to Level 2 Skills for Life and Skills for Work specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).