Educational Visits
Bring the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly to life for your school through an educational visit. Whether your group comes to Parliament Buildings or we arrange a virtual session online, our Education Officers can tailor a programme for you.
Our primary and secondary schools programme supports the Northern Ireland Curriculum and subject specifications in the areas of Citizenship/Learning for Life and Work, Government and Politics, and History. We adapt the programme for young people with special and additional learning needs.
On request, we can tailor the programme to suit students of another subject (such as Geography or Economics), School Councils, Eco-Councils and Rights Respecting Schools.
1. Choose Your Programme
Option A: Visit Parliament Buildings
Core content
Your programme will be delivered by one of our Education Officers. It will involve:
- an interactive presentation on the Northern Ireland Assembly; and
- a tour of Parliament Buildings, including a visit to the Assembly Chamber Public Gallery on sitting days (subject to available seating) or a visit to the floor of the Chamber on non-sitting days (Wednesday to Friday).
See On the day of your visit for further guidance.
Additional options
Other options that you can request at the time of booking your programme include:
- a Q&A session with MLAs;
- an address by a member of Assembly staff, for example a Committee Clerk; and/or
- delivery of the programme in Irish.
The programme for most groups lasts 1 hour 30 mins. For students of GCSE or AS Government and Politics, it lasts between 2 hours 30 mins and 3 hours.
Outdoor learning
When you come to visit us, why not include a walk in the Stormont Estate? Your group can discover the history of the estate and the rich biodiversity of the woodlands. You can choose the History Trail, the Environment Trail, the Woodlands Trail or the Bug Safari – each takes around 30 minutes to complete.
Trail maps are available for download here.
You can also reserve a gated picnic area, close to the playpark, for lunch.
To reserve the picnic area or request more information, please contact Stormont Estate Management Unit by phoning (028) 9037 8103 or emailing StormontEMU@finance-ni.gov.uk
Option B: Host a Virtual Session
Core content
Virtual sessions for Key Stage 2, 3, 4 and Post-16 classrooms involve:
- an online presentation delivered through Microsoft Teams by an Education Officer; and
- the opportunity for pupils to ask questions.
Additional options
Other options that you can request at the time of booking your programme include:
- a virtual Q&A with an MLA or MLAs (as part of the same session or as an additional session); and/or
- delivery of the programme in Irish.
Virtual sessions usually last 30 minutes. Start times are flexible, and we can try to fit in with your school timetable.
2. Make Your Booking
To book the Assembly’s education programme, contact us at the Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service.
Please mention any special requests or requirements that you have for your group at the time of booking.
Contact us to book your visit or virtual session
3. Prepare Your Group (Optional)
If you and your pupils would like to prepare for your visit or virtual session, below are some suggestions. Please note that these are optional and that no preparation is necessary.
- Invite your pupils to explore the age-appropriate section of this website.
- Explore resources and activities in the Teachers’ section.
- Find out who your MLAs are.
- Think about and discuss the issues that concern your group and/or your local community.
- Research the media for stories about the Assembly.
- If your visit involves meeting an MLA, prepare questions for them.
- Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with Education Service news.
4. Plan Your Visit to Parliament Buildings (In-person visits only)
On the day of your visit
Important information about Parliament Buildings
Please note the following:
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your start time to allow for security checks. Late arrival will result in a shorter programme.
- We recommend that pupils do not bring schoolbags into Parliament Buildings. This is because of a lack of space and the time it takes for bags to go through security.
- Parliament Buildings is a workplace. Please stress to your pupils the importance of moving quietly around the building.
- The content of your programme may need to change depending on Assembly business.
- Please note that MLAs may call in unexpectedly during your visit.
- If your group visits the Public Gallery while a plenary session is taking place, mobile phones and handbags must be stored in the lockers provided.
- Members of the media are often present in the public area of the Great Hall, and visitors may be filmed or photographed without their express consent.
- Groups must have adequate supervision at all times.
- Parliament Buildings is a cashless building, so we can only accept electronic payments. This includes payments in the gift shop.
- Outside the public areas of the building, visitors must be escorted at all times by a member of staff.
Finding us
Email: education.service@niassembly.gov.uk
Telephone: 028 90 521833
Please refer to the following map when arriving:
Accessibility
Accessibility arrangements
We seek to ensure that Parliament Buildings is accessible to everyone. When you book a visit, we ask that you:
- inform us of any special needs or additional requirements so that we can make any necessary adjustments regarding your programme content and/or access to the building;
- advise us if you need access to the disability car park; and
- email or phone the Education Service one week before your visit to confirm arrangements.
What visitors can expect
This video is designed for anyone who wishes to know what to expect from their visit. It explains arrangements for parking, security, public tours and facilities.
If you require access to the disability car park, please contact us in advance.
See also:
Sensory Issues at Parliament Buildings
Risk Assessment Information [DOC, 52kb]
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are available throughout the building. Staff can direct you to the nearest available at any time.
A Changing Places toilet on the ground floor has extra features including a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench and a tracking hoist system, as well as adequate space for the disabled person and up to two carers.
Hearing loops
Hearing loops are installed in the Great Hall, Assembly Chamber, Senate Chamber and education room. Portable hearing loops are available on request.
The fire alarm is tested every Friday morning at 9:30am.
If you have any questions about accessibility, please email education.service@niassembly.gov.uk or telephone (028) 9052 1833.