This week has been an exciting and immersive experience for Year 6 as they delved into the world of UK Parliament, exploring how democracy works and why having a voice matters. Through a rich programme of assemblies, debates, workshops and hands-on activities, pupils developed their understanding of Parliament’s role in shaping our country.

The week began with a values assembly linked to our theme of Enterprising and Creativity. Pupils were introduced to Parliament Week and had the chance to explore items from our Parliament Loan Box, sparking curiosity about what each object was used for and how it connects to parliamentary life. This led into an afternoon of collaborative investigation, with the hall transformed into a discovery space where children predicted the purpose and meaning of every artefact.

Across the week, each day offered a new opportunity to explore Parliament from a different angle:

Monday

An assembly introduced Parliament Week with information on what Parliament is, why it exists and how it affects our daily lives.

Tuesday

Using items from the Parliament Loan Box, pupils explored What is Parliament? before taking a virtual tour of the Houses of Parliament through VR headsets, giving them a unique chance to “step inside” one of the country’s most important buildings.

Wednesday

Year 6 became MPs for the day, taking part in a House of Commons–style debate. Using the loan box items to replicate the real setup, they discussed the question: Does technology impact my health? This linked closely to their PSHCE learning and encouraged critical thinking and respectful argument.

Thursday

Pupils explored how laws are made, creating their own Bill and following its journey from idea to law. In computing, they strengthened their typing, collaboration and communication skills, which are all essential tools for active citizenship.

Friday

An artefact-rich history lesson guided pupils through how Parliament has changed over time, linking with their topic on Monarchs and deepening their understanding of how democracy has evolved.

To finish their week of learning, Year 6 will present their findings to Year 5 on Monday, using their oracy skills to share the key messages and insights from Parliament Week.

Throughout the week, pupils engaged in:

  • Critical debates encouraging informed, thoughtful discussion
  • Cross-curricular links with PSHCE, computing and history
  • Hands-on experiences, including artefact analysis and VR exploration

These activities aim to inspire pupils to become informed, active citizens who understand how democracy works and the importance of having a voice.

A huge well done to Year 6 for their enthusiasm, maturity and curiosity throughout this incredible learning experience.

Year 6 Parliament Week