Year 6 had a fabulous trip to the Houses of Parliament. The tour started with a short 3D video about the history of Parliament from when it was introduced, right up to the present day and explained why the monarch is not allowed to enter the House of Commons, how women got the vote and why it is called Parliament!
The children were led into the House of Lords through the door that the Queen uses when she visits Parliament for the State opening. They found out how people become Lords and Baronesses and how they are involved in the passing of laws. Year 6 also visited the House of Commons and stood where the Cabinet sit for debates. They found out that there are 615 MPs in the House of Commons.
They looked at paintings of the Kings and Queens of England and at statues of important Prime Ministers.
The tour ended in the oldest part of the building, Westminster Hall which is around 1000 years old!
Year 6 enjoyed a picnic and ball games in Victoria Tower Gardens, overlooking the River Thames before returning to school.