Pupils from Cedar Children’s Academy’s School Council embarked on an enlightening visit to the Houses of Parliament to explore the decision-making processes that shape the United Kingdom.
The children enjoyed a captivating tour of the Palace of Westminster, more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, where the business of the UK Parliament takes place across two Houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The tour included stops at Victoria’s Tower, the King’s Robing Room, the Lords’ Lobby, the House of Lords Chamber, Westminster Hall, the House of Commons, the Commons Lobby, and the Royal Entrance. The children were truly awed as they explored these historic halls.
A pupil from the council said: “It is so special to walk in the footsteps of the kings and queens, and prime ministers who worked here over the years.
“I really enjoyed learning about the different areas in the palace.”
The children concluded the tour with a visit to the education centre, where they participated in a workshop focused on the practices of Parliament. They learnt about the concept of parliamentary ping-pong, where bills (statute laws) are exchanged between the Commons and the Lords before being passed into law.
The pupils actively engaged in discussions about potential new laws for schools, debating topics such as the length of the school holidays and the idea of having a school pet.
Mr Carey, Assistant Headteacher of Cedar Children’s Academy, commended the pupils for “demonstrating impressive reasoning as they examined the pros and cons of the issues being discussed.”
The children attended Westminster alongside Mr Carey and Miss Snowling who leads the School Council. Reflecting on the visit, Miss Snowling said: "This trip was an invaluable opportunity for our pupils to engage with the heart of British democracy. Seeing the inner workings of Parliament and participating in lively discussions has inspired them to take an active interest in how decisions are made in our country and think about how this can apply to our school."
The day was not only an enriching educational experience but also an inspiring reminder of the importance of leadership, debate, and community engagement. The children returned to school with a renewed enthusiasm for their roles in the School Council, eager to continue their journey as young leaders making an impact.