School visits to the States Chamber

The scheme runs throughout the school year, allowing Year 5 children from all the Island’s schools to visit the States Chamber.

It aims to encourage local children to take more of an interest in how decisions are made in Jersey and links with the citizenship curriculum to promote participation in elections, especially since the lowering of the voting age to 16. 

What happens during the visit?

The visits take place on a Monday with groups having two hours in the Chamber. Students learn about the history of democracy in Jersey and how the current system has developed. 

After this, pupils get to sit in the seats usually occupied by States Members and use the voting system during a debate on a topic of their choice. 3 of the children take the roles of the Greffier, the Dean and the Usher who ensure that the debate is as close as possible to a real States Meeting.

Preparing for the visit 

Before their visit, all students receive a booklet which gives an overview of the work of the States and includes a range of activities that can be completed at home or in school.

Schools also have access to a fully resourced, cross-curricular Scheme of Learning linked to the booklet to ensure that the learning in the Chamber is also embedded in the classroom. As well fulfilling requirements of the citizenship curriculum, this Scheme of Learning also allows schools to deliver important elements of the English curriculum, including spoken language and writing skills, as well as History.

Visits during 2022 

Debate topics during 2022 included: