In the News: current affairs lessons for form time
They’re already talking about it. Make sure it’s with you.
Every week, a 15-minute lesson on the story your pupils are talking about. Designed for form time and tutor time, and ready to use in assemblies too. Balanced, with all sides considered, so every tutor can lead the conversation with confidence.
Mapped to
- PSHE curriculum
- Citizenship
- British values
- SMSC
- UN Rights of the Child
- Equality Act
In the News
Social media ban debate
Balanced, age-appropriate, with teacher notes and discussion prompts.
Every week since 2022. Hundreds of lessons, from the Coronation to the climate crisis.
Why now
If school doesn’t talk about it, the algorithm will
4 hours
a day online, on average, at age 13 to 14
Up to 24%
of 8 to 14-year-olds’ time on YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp is between 9pm and 5am
15 minutes
of form time a week gives them a safe place to talk it through, with trusted adults
Source for online figures: Ofcom, 2025
For many young people, form time is the only time in school to discuss the world they’re growing up in and the influences around them.
How it works for your school
Confidence for tutors. Evidence for leaders. A voice for pupils.
For tutors
The information and structure to lead these conversations with confidence
Tutors don’t need to be experts on the news. No planning, even on the most difficult topics.
Know the story
Teacher notes set out the themes covered, so tutors are prepared before the lesson starts.
Follow a clear structure
A ready-made 15-minute lesson, with suggested discussion prompts to guide the conversation.
Present all sides
Balanced content, so tutors can explore different views without having to take a side.
Know where to signpost
Follow-up material and signposting to support, if a pupil needs it.
For leaders
Evidence for personal development
Every lesson flags British values, protected characteristics and the UN Rights of the Child, and is mapped to PSHE, citizenship and SMSC.
For pupils
Skills for the world they’re growing up in
A safe place to talk about what they see in the news and online, and hear other views.
- Critical thinking
- Empathy
- Oracy
Part of the Life Lessons 5 life skills focus.
What schools say
Schools use In the News to keep up with what pupils see
“This is brilliant… Perfect timing. We are noticing that with our Year 12 this year they are getting very swayed by social media and are believing everything they hear on TikTok.”
Faye Engelbrecht, Head of Sixth Form, Moulsham High School
“These resources have been invaluable to cut staff workload and to support student learning. Resources are up to date and follow what is currently happening in local, national and international news.”
Hayley Bennett, Head of School Curriculum, The Rosewood School
“We are having a big drive on misogyny and misandry at the minute, so the ‘In the News’ resources that have come up have been really useful.”
Martyn Tindall, Associate College Leader, Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst
“Life Lessons has brought immense value to our tutor time. We’ve received fantastic feedback from staff and students, saying that the sessions are easy to pick up and deliver.”
Emma Bragg, PSHE lead, Helston Community College
Ready for the big conversations
Difficult topics in the news, with all sides considered
We don’t shy away from what pupils are talking about. Every lesson is balanced and age-appropriate, with guidance so staff feel ready when something happens.
Lesson series
Online influencers and Andrew Tate
8 lessons of 15 minutes each, on online influence and misogyny.
Lesson series
Adolescence: belonging and radicalisation
Prompted by the TV drama, on belonging, online isolation and radicalisation.
Lesson
Knife crime
Lesson
Countering misinformation
Other lessons include Israel and Hamas at war, protests at asylum hotels, and the Manchester attack and antisemitism.
What’s included
Form time resources: what’s included
Weekly ‘In the News’ lessons
A new 15-minute topical lesson every week. Designed for form time, and also works in assemblies. Schools can request topics, and there’s an end-of-year quiz to recap the year.
SMSC calendar and lessons for the year
A calendar of SMSC days across the year, with ready-made lessons for each one, including drop-down days.
LifeTalk
A classroom discussion tool. Each prompt is followed by a video of young people discussing the question, then a reflection task.
Support
Our team supports your personal development lead and tutors throughout the year.
Termly community forum meetings
Meet the Life Lessons team and other schools each term to share ideas and what’s working.
Trusted and recognised by
Form time lessons: your questions answered
How long is each lesson, and when do we use it?
15 minutes. A new lesson arrives in your inbox every week. Each one is designed for form time and also works in assemblies. Some schools use them in curriculum time too.
Can we ask for a topic?
Yes. Schools suggest topics and we write lessons on them.
Do the lessons cover British values, SMSC and citizenship?
Yes. Every lesson is mapped to the PSHE curriculum, citizenship, British values and SMSC, and flags the UN Rights of the Child and protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
Does it work alongside the PSHE curriculum?
Yes. In the News works on its own in form time, and alongside the Life Lessons secondary PSHE curriculum.
Your pupils are talking about it this week. Are your tutors ready?
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll send you the information you need. No obligation.