Home » Citizenship : More ways to have your say » visits to parliament »

  Your accounts of a trip to Parliament

 Visiting Parliament

I enjoy meeting constituents who are visiting the Houses of Parliament.   People don't always realise that they are able to see Parliament up close.  Below are some details of how you can arrange a visit.

You might want to organise your own trip, Your group could be as small as one or even as large as sixty.

David's office do organise several tours a year, which is helpful as this includes a coach between Stafford and Westminster.

Check with the office on 01785 224444 if you would like details of the next organised trip.

Through David's office, you can have a tour around the Palace of Westminster, tickets to sit in the Commons and Lords Chambers to watch live debates (whilst the House is sitting) and photographs outside Downing Street. You can also meet David for a question and answer session.

Just get in touch with David's office if you would like to visit Parliament.

The information required is as follows:

• The names and number of children in the group
• The names and number of all adults attending
• The date you are thinking of visiting
• The time from which you are available to begin the visit

Specially tailored visits can also be arranged by the Parliamentary Education Unit; you can contact them by writing to:

The Parliamentary Education Unit,
Norman Shaw Building (North),
London, SW1A 2T

Alternatively you can telephone them on 020 7219 2105 or e-mail them at EdUnit@parliament.uk.

Visits to Parliament

Parliament Explained Visits

This programme will run from October 2006 to explain Parliament's work to students in Yrs 11-13.

Upon arrival groups are given a welcome and an introduction before being shown an audio/visual presentation in a committee room. This is followed by a brief talk and the opportunity to ask questions before either undertaking a tour or attending a debate in one of the two Chambers. This visit can accommodate a maximum of 32 students.

Discover Parliament Visits Programme

This programme of visits is aimed at students in Yrs 8-10 (age 12-15) students with the intention of giving them an introduction to the Palace of Westminster and the workings of Parliament in the form of a tour of the Royal Apartments, House of Lords, House of Commons, St Stephen's Hall and Westminster Hall, and the opportunity to listen to a debate in the house of Commons and/or the House of Lords. The visits take place on every term-time Monday and Wednesday, when the House is sitting, from November to July. There is a set programme for the morning with an option to bring a packed lunch and extend the visit to the afternoon. This visit can accommodate a maximum of 32 students.

Citizenship For the 21st Century

This is a programme for students in Yrs 3-9 supporting topics covered in the Political Literacy strand of the National Curriculum for Citizenship (KS 2 and 3 in England and Wales). A Teacher's Guide is available which includes information sheets, activities and notes for the class teacher.

Half day and full day visits are available during term time. A typical visit will include a presentation, related participatory activities, a question and answer session and an opportunity to see part of the Houses of parliament. This visit can accommodate a maximum of 32 students.

Special Schools

A varied programme is available for students (across the age range) with special needs that may include visiting parts of the Palace of Westminster. Further details are available on request.

Student (Mock) Parliaments

The Education Unit organises these for students in Yrs 7-13 on ten Fridays each year. They take the form of an organised debate for 64 students. Following a brief introduction on arrival, the students are given the opportunity to discuss the Motion and debating techniques with a Member of Parliament prior to the debate commencing. The debate lasts for about one hour, closing with a Division. The visit lasts for about 3 hours. Advance preparation is essential. Further details are available on request.

Teacher Seminar Days

Designed to give either teachers of Government and Politics the opportunity to keep up to date with the changes taking place in Parliament and to increase their own knowledge, or to enable non-specialist teachers of General Studies/Citizenship and PGCE citizenship student groups to learn about Parliament and Government, a number of seminar days are organised each academic year. Further details are available on request