‘General Election’ collapsed timetable half day for 11-16 aged students

Create a collapsed timetable day focusing on the theme of general elections using the following activities and resources.

Activity / Approximate duration / Location / Students/Groups / Staff name
Session 1
·  Introduction to the day
·  Overview of what Parliament is
·  Overview of general elections / 20 minutes / Main school hall or other large communal area / 120
Session 2
·  Explore the Houses of Parliament
·  Understand the work of an MP / 40 minutes / Computer rooms / 30
Session 3
·  Run a mock election
(You could begin this session before break and continue afterwards) / 120 minutes / Classrooms / 30

These sessions are interchangeable – after the first session, half the cohort could start session 2 and half start session 3.

Session 1

Introduction to the day

All staff and students should meet in a communal area, for example the main school hall. The event leader should then introduce and explain the purpose and structure of the day using the ‘Introductory general elections presentation’.

Overview of Parliament and general elections
As a group, watch two short videos to introduce the theme:
How Parliament works in nearly 60 seconds
General Election in nearly 60 seconds

(Please note: videos require the use of YouTube.)


Session 2

Explore the Houses of Parliament

Let students explore some of Parliament’s most famous rooms using the virtual tour. www.parliament.uk/virtualtour

Ask students to navigate to the House of Commons Chamber and explain that this is where MPs meet to debate important issues and where the main business of the day takes place.

Understand the work of an MP
Use the MP for a Week game to build students’ understanding of the role of an MP. www.parliament.uk/MPforaweek

This game highlights the value and range of the work of MPs. Students are scored according to the decisions they make, giving them a real virtual taste of life as an MP.

Session 3

Run a mock election

Help students understand the process of a general election and get their own election up off the ground using the Election Toolkit.
The kit includes everything you will need to run a mock election, including a ballot box and a handy instructional poster and PowerPoint to keep you on track.

You can order an Election Toolkit at www.parliament.uk/electiontoolkit

Adapting the day
You can add to the sessions on the day or include your own sessions if you have time in your programme. All of the activities work well as stand-alone sessions with a single class if preferred (check appropriate age range).

Here are some further suggested resources that are suitable for the ‘General Election’ themed collapsed timetable day.

Further resources / Resource type / Approximate timings
Loan box
(Please note: This resource is for one group so carousel structure may be required for all students to access) / Ordered pack / 60
Elections and voting / Whiteboard / 120
How the House of Lords works / Lesson Plan / 120
Who is in the House of Lords? / Videos and Lesson Plan / 120
Run a mock election / Whiteboard / 60
What is the House of Commons? / Video / 15
What is the House of Lords? / Lesson Plan / 60
People and Parliament / Lesson Plan / 60 x 2
DIY laws / Lesson Plan / 60 x 2
History of Parliamentary Democracy timeline - Houses of History / Whiteboard / 60

There are also a variety of other resources, covering a range of different topics, available at www.parliament.uk/education.