1. Two people completely disagree about something, can they both be right?
To have on the screen as students walk in to introduce them to the theme – then ask for a couple of contributions from around the room to begin the session.
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2. Introduction to the UK Parliament

3. Purpose of the day… To gain a better understanding of:
The role and work of the UK Parliament
The history of Parliament and representation in the UK

4. A brief history of representation in the UK
Who made all of the important decisions before Parliament was formed?
What are our representatives in Parliament called today?
Click on the images to watch the video.
Ask students to discuss the questions with the person sitting next to them.

5. Parliament is made up of:
Monarch
House of Commons
House of Lords
Parliament makes and changes laws, debates important issues and checks the work of the Government, e.g. how they are spending taxes and whether they are keeping to the promises made at election time.
Parliament is made up of three parts, the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Monarch.
Members of the House of Commons are called MPs or ‘Members of Parliament’. There are 650 in total. They are elected - this happens at a general election.
Members of the House of Lords are often called Peers. There are around 800 in total. They are unelected – they are nominated for being very good in their field e.g. medicine, business, charity work, art, etc.
Monarch – our King or Queen.

6. What is the difference between Parliament and government?
Parliament is made up of people we have elected and people who have been appointed. They sit in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The main work of Parliament is to make laws, check and challenge the work of the Government, approve government spending and debate important issues.

7. What is the difference between Parliament and government?
The Government are the people elected to run the UK.
The political party that wins the most seats at a general election takes charge of the Government until the next general election.
The leader of the winning party is appointed as Prime Minister.

8. A little bit more detail to get us started…
Click on the images to watch the video.
Ask students to discuss the questions with the person sitting next to them.
What work does Parliament do?
How is Parliament different to government?

9. Get Involved!
Contact your local MP or a member of the House of Lords about an issue that is important to you
Visit Parliament and watch a debate
Start or sign a petition
Give evidence to a select committee
Inform students that there are many different ways that they can get involved with Parliament:
Contact an MP or Peer, invite them to your school
Visit Parliament and watch a debate in one of the Chambers
Start or sign a petition
Give written or oral evidence to a select committee

10. Introduction to the day
Structure of the day…
Lesson
Activity
Groups
Room
Staff
Now
Introduction to the day
Everyone
Main Hall
All staff
Rest of Period 1
Period 2
Break
Period 3
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Fill out and edit for your groups.
Don’t forget that the sessions are interchangeable, half the cohort could start session 2 and half start session 3 after the first session. Grey and white boxes represent each cohort.