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Education

Visits to the Parliament

We offer a variety of sessions, aimed at different educational levels, and taking place on different days throughout the week.

We have options for Primary and Secondary schools, and Further Education and Higher Education providers in Scotland.

Primary School visits

Your Parliament – Mondays and Fridays (60mins, capacity 70)

Suited to P5-7, curriculum level CfE Level 2, contributes to Children’s Rights learning through UNCRC Article 12 and Article 13

Format:

  • Introductory session
  • Curriculum-aligned workshop activity
  • Tour

Content:

  • Purpose of the Scottish Parliament
  • Devolution and devolved matters
  • Elections
  • The role of MSPs
  • How to get involved

Your Parliament – Tuesday to Thursday (90mins, capacity 40)

Suited to P5-7, curriculum level CfE Level 2, contributes to Children’s Rights learning through UNCRC Article 12 and Article 13

Format

  • Introductory session
  • Tour
  • Meet your MSP session (subject to availability)
  • Curriculum aligned workshop activity if no MSPs available

Content

  • Purpose of the Scottish Parliament
  • Devolution and devolved matters
  • Elections
  • The role of MSPs
  • How to get involved

Primary schools looking to watch business taking place in the debating chamber can contact their local MSPs who can book tickets on your behalf.

Secondary school, FE and HE visits (40pax)

The opportunity to meet your MSPs is included in all visits. Constituency and Regional MSPs for your school / college / university campus are invited based on the postcode provided. This is subject to MSP availability (an alternative activity is offered if no MSPs can attend).

Visits can be arranged as follows:

Education session with tour

  • Wednesdays (+ option to add tickets to watch Portfolio Questions in the Chamber)
  • Thursdays (+ option to add tickets to watch First Minister's Questions in the Chamber)
  • Optional use of our lunch space

Education session with tour and committee work

  • Tuesdays

  • The session and activities will be themed around the work of committees

Education session with Chamber business tickets only (no tour)

  • Tuesdays – join us for General Questions or First Minister’s Questions
  • The session will be themed around scrutiny through parliamentary questions

Education sessions can be themed as follows:

Get involved

Suited to S1-3, introductory level social subjects at college, curriculum level BGE Modern Studies, general citizenship, contributes to Children’s Rights learning through UNCRC Article 12 and Article 13

Content

  • Purpose of the Scottish Parliament
  • Devolution and devolved matters
  • Elections
  • The role of MSPs
  • How to get involved

The role of the First Minister

Suited to National 5 Modern Studies, curriculum level National 5

Content

  • Devolution and devolved matters
  • The role of MSPs
  • Role of the First Minister
  • FMQs and scrutiny of the work of the Scottish Government
  • The role of committees

Scrutiny and accountability: Chamber and committees

Suited to Higher Modern Studies or Politics, curriculum level Higher

Content

  • Devolution and devolved matters
  • The role of MSPs
  • The role of the First Minister
  • The role of committees
  • Scottish Parliament scrutiny of the Scottish Government
    • FMQs
    • Committees

How to book

These sessions are only available to Scottish schools. You will first need to register your school on our ticketing platform, Citizen Ticket, to create a pass.

Your pass entitles you to the following:

  • Primary schools – three visits per year 
  • Secondary schools – two visits per year
  • FE and HE – two visits per year

Once you've received your pass, you can access an online calendar and book a visit whenever you want, throughout the academic year.

Register for a Scottish school pass

Guidance on booking visits to the Parliament

Other options

For larger groups, and for schools outside of Scotland, you're welcome to book a standard tour through Visitor Services.

Scottish schools can also