Civic Leadership
The Civic Leadership Academy
The GSN Civic Leadership Academy prepares members to serve their communities with integrity. Whether you want to understand your council, become a school governor, or one day stand for election, the Academy gives you practical, non-partisan knowledge and a supportive network.
What you will learn
Academy modules
How the UK is governed
Parliament, devolved governments, mayors, councils and parishes, and who is responsible for what.
Elections and campaigning
How elections work, the rules on spending and conduct, and how to run a lawful, positive campaign.
Public speaking and media
Telling your story with confidence on stage, on camera and online.
Ethics and the Nolan Principles
The seven principles of public life and what they mean in practice.
Scrutiny and accountability
Reading budgets and reports, asking good questions and using Freedom of Information lawfully.
Community organising
Building coalitions, running meetings and turning concern into action.
A plain-English guide
How councils and elections work
Parish and town councils
The most local tier of government in many parts of England. They look after things like allotments, play areas and local events, and often have vacancies filled without a contest.
District, borough, county and unitary councils
Responsible for services such as bins, planning, housing, social care, schools and roads. Councillors are elected for four-year terms in most areas.
Mayors and combined authorities
Directly elected mayors lead some cities and regions, including London, with powers over transport, policing and economic development.
Devolved parliaments and assemblies
The Scottish Parliament, the Senedd in Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly make laws on many matters in their nations.
UK Parliament
Members of Parliament are elected to the House of Commons in 650 constituencies and make laws for the whole of the UK.
Next cohort