You can find out more about the programme here: Aims and Objectives of the Outreach Education programme (73KB pdf).

Pre-Session teaching

Class teachers are requested to carry out a small amount of pre-teaching as a starting point for the session with Parliamentary staff: matters devolved to Scotland; political parties in Scotland and knowing who your eight MSPs are. All the relevant information is in the resource pack which is sent to you after your booking is confirmed.

Session 1

Parliamentary education staff facilitate this interactive session, building on the pre session teaching. It includes a presentation, extending Parliamentary knowledge, with the opportunity to learn through a range of activities. For more information about the session, please see the Aims and Objectives of the Primary Outreach Education session (116KB pdf) or Aims and Objectives of the Secondary Outreach Education session (91KB pdf) and Format and Methodology of the Primary Outreach Education Session (176KB pdf) and Format and Methodology of the Secondary Outreach Education session (72KB pdf)

Session 2

In session 2008/09, you have three options for how to follow up your Outreach Education session:

• Option 1 - MSPs in Schools
• Option 2 - Your Parliament visit
• Option 3 - Arranging your own engagement follow up

Please note that you can book only one follow-up session through us – either MSPs in Schools or a Your Parliament visit.

Option 1 - MSPs in Schools

Your MSPs are invited to come to school and to work with the students: you may choose to invite them directly or we can arrange the session for you at a suitable time for the class and the MSPs.

For some past examples of participation in MSPs in Schools, please see our Guidance on running an MSPs in Schools session (97KB pdf) and School Case Studies (429KB pdf)

Option 2 - Your Parliament visit

New for 2009/10– free tours which are reserved especially for schools who have had an outreach education session to enable them to visit Holyrood to see where the Parliament works.

If you are bringing a group to the Scottish Parliament and have to fill in a risk assessment, please see our Risk Assessment (23KB pdf) for further details which may help you.

Option 3 - Arranging your own engagement follow-up

Classes who wish to have more flexibility in their follow up activities may choose not to book either of the above follow-up sessions. We will still be able to offer the resources and Outreach Education session with Parliamentary education staff. The class can then choose their follow up activities relating to the Scottish Parliament. For suggestions, please see Alternatives to Running an MSP session (25KB pdf).

How to book

Please fill in this booking form and email it to us. We will contact you to confirm details or to discuss what is available if we cannot accommodate your preferred date and time.

Please make sure you fill in as much detail about the classes as possible. You can choose any one of the three follow-up options outlined above. Please note that there is limited availability for the MSPs in Schools follow-up session.

You can ask questions about outreach education sessions through our telephone enquiry line which is usually open between 09.00 and 16.00, Monday to Friday. Please call 0131 348 5401 or 0131 348 5374.