Exploring teaching parliament, democracy and the rule of law in primary schools

Second and third-year students studying on our primary teaching degrees recently visited Parliament in London to develop their understanding of how to teach primary-aged pupils about parliament, democracy, and the rule of law – linking to their understanding of teaching British values, and the citizenship curriculum.

This was an excellent opportunity for our trainee teachers who were able to sit in the House of Lords and observe a Windrush Bill being passed in the House of Commons. They also had a workshop in a select committee room in the House of Commons.

Senior lecturer, Faye Worthy-Pauling said: “I have worked closely with UK Parliament Education and Engagement team over the past four years, inviting them each year to the University of Brighton to deliver workshops linked to teaching the non-statutory citizenship curriculum.

“This trip is important as it develops our trainee’s understanding of how a child’s voice can be developed in the classroom and how this directly links to a democratic society.  The trip shared with the trainees how to teach children about democracy and the rule of law through parliament trips, workshops and visitors.  We want the future generation of children to know that their voice counts, to do democracy and to understand our democratic systems and how they can be change-makers from a young age.” 

Interested in training to teach at Brighton?

We offer the following undergraduate primary courses:

• Primary Education (3–7 years) BA(Hons) with QTS
• Primary Education (5–11 years) BA(Hons) with QTS
• Primary English Education BA(Hons) with QTS
• Primary Mathematics Education BA(Hons) with QTS