Resource

Mock Parliament Debate

Everything you need to run an immersive mock parliamentary debate in the classroom. 

Examine how Parliament operates, its different functions and the key roles and responsibilities within government whilst also developing your students oracy skills.

Overview

Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 (13-18 year olds) the pack is designed to be delivered over a two hour period and is split into three parts:

  • Part 1: An introduction to Parliament
  • Part 2: Introducing the motion and preparing for the debate
  • Part 3: Running the debate

Each student is allocated a role guide and assigned to a political party. Clear instructions are provided to students on how to prepare for their role and what to do during the debate. 

 

“Learning about Parliament is so important because it educates young people as to how the government works and how much we are affected by politics. I found the resources informative and helpful as they explained all the different roles in a debate, and I really enjoyed expressing my opinion.”

Year 9 student, St James’s Church of England High School, Bolton

 

Acknowledgment:

These teaching and learning resources were developed in partnership with the global firm, FTI Consulting. We are grateful for their support in boosting young people’s awareness of our democracy, and the ways we can work together to strengthen society for everybody.

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Why Do We Wash Our Hands?

In this lesson pupils will learn that washing their hands can help to prevent the spread of germs which cause illnesses. Pupils will experiment with hand washing techniques before being…

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Ethics, Innovation and the Law

Aimed at KS4 and Post-16, your students will: Explore the way technology is developing and the impacts this has...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Social Media and the Law (KS4) (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are  committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of these offences. Finally, students…

More Digital Citizenship resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Social Media and the Law (KS3) (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of committing these offences. The…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock Parliament Debate

Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 (13-18 year olds) the pack is designed to be delivered over a...

Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being An Online Citizen

During this lesson pupils consider their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens, focusing on how the online world can be used as a force for good. Pupils consider what skills,…

More Diversity and Inclusion resources

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Power of Giving

In this lesson pupils will read a tale from Japanese folklore which tells of how one small act of generosity leads to big gains. They will think about whether generous…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

An Introduction to Discrimination Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson looks at the history of anti-discrimination law, the different types of discrimination (i.e. direct and indirect discrimination) and how the law deals with discrimination. It can be delivered…

Assemblies, Sustainability and the Environment, KS1 (ages 5-7)

World Female Ranger Day (KS1 Assembly)

During this assembly pupils will learn about World Female Ranger Day. Pupils will explore where the continent of Africa is and learn about its unique wildlife, and why it needs…

More Politics and Democracy resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Where do you stand?

Over a series of short sessions, pupils will have the opportunity to consider topical issues related to their school life. Pupils will consider the strength of arguments for and against…

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

You Decide! (KS3)

This resource will allow students to critically consider what reasons and ways the government can take to support different...

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is a Political Party?

This resource pack is the fourth of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being Part of a School Community

During this lesson pupils recap what we mean by the term active citizen. They consider what qualities and skills an active citizen should have and explore how these skills and…

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Power of Giving

In this lesson pupils will read a tale from Japanese folklore which tells of how one small act of generosity leads to big gains. They will think about whether generous…

Assemblies, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Inspirational People – Nelson Mandela

This assembly is an introduction to the life and work of Nelson Mandela. You may like to run it in conjunction with the lesson ‘Inspirational People.’    To access this content,…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Big Legal Lesson 2025 (ages 5-11)

Join the UK's biggest legal education campaign during February 2025.

Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being An Online Citizen

During this lesson pupils consider their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens, focusing on how the online world can...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Sexting and the Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson explores what the law says in relation to the sending of sexually explicit images by those aged under 18. The lesson examines two scenarios of young people involved…

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Guidelines (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson asks students to consider the key findings of a harassment trial and conclude what sentence should be given to the guilty party. During the course of the lesson…

Student Tools, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

How to share learning with your peers

Originally designed to be a companion pack for the Democracy Ambassadors programme, this handy toolkit will support students who...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Employment Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

During this lesson students explore the law that applies to young workers and what they can do if they believe their legal rights at work are not being upheld. To…

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Who’s to Blame? (SmartLaw Subscription)

This activity is based on the case of R v. Dudley and Stephens (1884) – two sailors accused of murdering cabin boy Richard Parker, after being cast adrift on the…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock Parliament Debate

Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 (13-18 year olds) the pack is designed to be delivered over a...

Student Tools, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

How to share learning with your peers

Originally designed to be a companion pack for the Democracy Ambassadors programme, this handy toolkit will support students who...