Educational Visits

WHO CAN HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT?

WHAT DOES AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT INVOLVE?

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS?

HOW DOES AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT MEET SYLLABUS REQUIREMENTS?:

A-LEVEL GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

HOW DO I BOOK AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT?

HOW CAN WE PREPARE FOR A VISIT?

WHO CAN HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT?

While primarily aimed at schools, other educational establishments and youth groups, the Education Programme is available to any group wanting to learn about the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The School Visits Programme is tailored to meet the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum set out by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Citizenship, Government & Politics and History. These subjects can be brought alive by a visit to Parliament Buildings.

WHAT DOES AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT INVOLVE?

Great Hall, Parliament Buildings

All groups participating in the Visits Programme receive:

a presentation on the Northern Ireland Assembly; and
a tour of Parliament Buildings: the Great Hall, Senate and Assembly Chamber (the Public Gallery on sitting days, subject to available seating)

The programme will be adapted to suit the needs of particular groups and may also include one or more of the following:

Group activity session;
Address by MLA/s
Address by Assembly staff, eg, a Committee Clerk

Please note: the programme content may be subject to change, depending on Assembly business.

All participants receive an education pack with information and resources tailored to the relevant curriculum and level. Teachers’ packs contain extra resources and answers to worksheets.

WHEN ARE EDUCATIONAL VISITS AVAILABLE?

Educational visits may take place between 09.00 and 16.00 each weekday. In exceptional circumstances, evening or Saturday visits can be arranged. The maximum group size is 40.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

There is no charge for an educational visit to Parliament Buildings. School groups may bring packed lunches.

HOW DOES AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT TO PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS MEET SYLLABUS REQUIREMENTS?

PRIMARY CURRICULUM

Primary pupils can learn about the work of elected representatives and how decisions are made that affect them as individuals and members of the wider community of Northern Ireland. A visit to Parliament Buildings should help pupils increase their awareness of: their rights and responsibilities, including the right to have their say on those decisions which affect them; current issues and problems in society and what is being done to address these; and how they can influence government decisions and so contribute to creating a better world for those around them.

Primary visits usually include an interactive presentation on the Assembly, activity session and tour.

CITIZENSHIP:

KS3: The Democracy and Active Participation Key Concept requires "opportunities…to understand how to participate in, and to influence democratic processes" and an awareness of democratic institutions.

KS4: The Statements of Entitlement require an "awareness of the work and structures of government in Northern Ireland". This is also relevant for Democracy in action in Learning for Life and Work GCSE Module 1.

During a Citizenship visit students learn about the work and structure of the Assembly, the Executive, the role of an MLA, how decisions are made and how young people can get involved. They will take part in activities to reinforce their learning, and will receive an educational pack for extension work in class. The teacher’s pack includes answer guides and further activities and support materials for development in class.

A-LEVEL GOVERNMENT & POLITICS:

A level students

An A-Level Government and Politics visit is geared towards AS Module 1: The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland. During a visit students will receive a presentation on the Assembly, covering its powers and how it works; the Executive; the role of an MLA; elections to and composition of the Assembly; transferred, reserved and excepted matters; the work of the Speaker; types of plenary business; committees; legislation; and d’Hondt. Content can be adapted to suit the needs of the class.

In addition, the students can also meet with their MLAs/party representatives and Committee staff for a question and answer session. They will receive a resources pack and the teacher’s pack includes activities and support materials which can be used for further development in class.

HISTORY

History students will learn about the history of Parliament Buildings and how history has helped shape the way in which Northern Ireland is now governed. They will also learn about the current work of the Northern Ireland Assembly. History visits also include an activity session and tour of the building.

GENERAL STUDIES

It is important for all young people to learn about how Northern Ireland is governed and about how they can participate and influence the making of decisions that will affect their lives. A visit to Parliament Buildings can offer young people the opportunity to meet with politicians and discuss issues that interest them.

HOW DO I BOOK A VISIT?

There are two ways to book an educational visit.

1. Contact us at the Education Service We will arrange a visit for you, sponsored by the Speaker.

2. Ask an MLA to sponsor your visit. Tell them you want the Education Programme and they will forward your details to the Education Service. MLAs can be contacted through their offices here in Parliament Buildings. For contact details, go to Membership and click on name of your chosen MLA.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE FOR A VISIT?

To prepare for a visit, a group can:

Do the online tour of Parliament Buildings
Read the Guide to the Northern Ireland Assembly
Go to the Constituency Map and find out who your MLAs are. See also Constituency Research Sheet.
Find out what’s happening in the Assembly

In the Chamber – Order Paper
Current issues – Media Centre

If your visit involves meeting with MLAs:

Prepare questions about

the work of an MLA and

issues that concern you