Tynwald - Educational and Youth Group Visits

Educational and Youth Group Visits

There are two types of visit available to schools and other youth organisations:

Question and Answer Tour - All Ages

Suitable for almost any age group we look around the building and tell the young people something of the history of Tynwald and how it works today. There is plenty of opportunity for them to ask questions about what they see and hear. This usually runs for about an hour, is suitable for any number of children and can be arranged outside of usual business hours for youth groups.

Tour and Mock Debate - Upper Key Stage 2

After a short tour around the building with time to ask questions the students take part in their own sitting of the House of Keys. This usually works best with children aged 9-12. A group of around 20 young people is best and the visit takes about 90 minutes. For this option, the students decide topics to debate in advance and take on the roles of Mr Speaker and MHKs, before using the official electronic voting system on their topics. Upon completion, they receive a certificate commemorating their visit.

Tour and Debate in Chambers

A Tour of Tynwald and a mock debate can be run anytime during the school year. The objective is to encourage children from all the Island's schools to visit the Legislative Buildings and to encourage students to become more engaged in their parliament and increase their participation in democratic processes.

Prior to the visit, teachers are asked to work with students to decide topics they wish to debate in the House of Keys, usually linked to their learning objectives in school. We find that students aged 9-12 enjoy this type of learning experience. The students chosen topics are added to an Order Paper which each child receives during the tour.

During the Visit

After a short tour of the Chambers with question and answers, the children sit in the seats in the House of Keys and use the voting system during a mini debate on a topic of their choice, taking on the role of MHKs and Mr Speaker. The Standing Orders of a sitting of the House of Keys are explained and followed as closely as possible during the mock debate.

Each child is presented with an Order Paper with their Motions on, an information sheet about the MHK whose seat they sit in and a certificate to commemorate their participation.

For each motion, the students vote using the electronic voting buttons - all votes are anonymous and the results shown on display screens in the Chamber after everyone has voted.

Help with Transport Costs for Schools - All Ages

The Isle of Man branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will fund the cost of transport for school visits. To take advantage of this, contact us prior to your visit to let us know who you are booking with and the cost. Following the visit please send the invoice to us or ask the provider to invoice the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office directly.

How to Book

Tours can be booked at any time when the chambers are available, this is usually any day except Tuesday and the third Wednesday and Thursday of the month. To arrange a visit please contact the Tynwald Information Service with one or two possible dates, the type of tour you would prefer and the maximum number of children. We will then check the date is available and confirm the booking with you.