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
Crime and its Impact (SmartLaw Subscription)
Students explore the impact of crime on those surrounding the victim and the perpetrator and consider the financial, physical and emotional ripples that crime can have on a community. Please…
What Are Human Rights?
In this lesson pupils will explore what human rights are. They will examine individual human rights and discuss why they are of primary importance to all people and society. Pupils…
Rights and Responsibilities
In this lesson pupils will develop an understanding of the terms ‘rights’ and ‘responsibilities’ and how they balance one another. They will then discuss and prepare a class charter that…
More Digital Citizenship resources
What is Media Bias?
During this lesson students explore what bias within the media is and how it differs from fake news. They...
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…
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...
More Diversity and Inclusion resources
Mock Parliament Debate
Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 (13-18 year olds) the pack is designed to be delivered over a...
My Community
During this lesson pupils consider what we mean by the word community and are challenged to think about all the different community groups they belong to and how it feels…
World Female Ranger Day (KS1)
During this lesson 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
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…
The G7 (Assembly Pack)
During this assembly pupils explore the history and function of the G7 and are introduced to the sort of discussions held at the annual G7 Summit. They learn about the…
What is Debt?
Students will explore issues around money, personal and sovereign debt and consider the impact government borrowing has on future...
More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources
Litter: The Picnic (Assembly)
With the help of one of the Go-Givers puppets or a soft toy, this assembly highlights how the rubbish we discard can and spoil the environment and endanger wildlife. The…
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,…
Martin Luther King: Sacrificing All for the Dream
This lesson looks at discrimination against African Americans in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement and how Martin Luther King achieved change through peaceful…
More Understanding Rules & The Law resources
The Big Legal Lesson 2025 (ages 11-18+)
Join the UK's biggest legal education campaign during February 2025.
Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities (SmartLaw Subscription)
This lesson introduces students to the concepts of their legal rights and responsibilities and explores how the law impacts their daily lives. Students explore the different ages that various laws…
Democracy (Part 3): Why Do We Have Laws?
This lesson forms the final part of a three-part unit on democracy. Pupils learn about democracy and the rule of law. They discover the different roles of parliament, government and…
More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources
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...
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…
Housing Law (SmartLaw Subscription)
In this lesson students explore a range of different housing situations someone can find themselves in. They examine some of the common legal issues concerning housing including common landlord and…
More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources
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...
Climate Action: Circular Economies
During this lesson students explore how the economy can be used to support climate action and create a more...
Bar Mock Trial Competition – Support Videos
Preparing for the Bar Mock Trial Competition? Watch these video explainers, demonstrations and expert tips on key aspects of criminal trials. To access this content, register for our Bar Mock…