TAVISTOCK College has received a loan box from Parliament’s Education Service.

Containing a miniature House of Commons mace, speaker’s robes and despatch box, as well as a resource booklet, the contents of the box will give pupils the opportunity to participate in a Westminster-style debate and to vote at the ring of the division bell.

The box is one of 50 being sent to schools across the UK ahead of the beginning of UK Parliament Week on November 14. Schools may keep the loan box for up to four weeks, giving teachers the opportunity to engage pupils with the work of Parliament and politics on numerous occasions. The loan box is provided free of charge to all schools.

MP for West Devon and Torridge Geoffrey Cox said: ‘I am delighted to learn that miniatures of these iconic parliamentary fixtures will be going to Tavistock College where I am sure they will be made good use of in lively debate by the students.

‘Whenever I have visited the college there has always been a strong sense of the democratic commitment of its students and I very much hope they will enjoy continuing that tradition at the despatch box.’

Philippa Lay, from Tavistock College, said: ‘We are excited to receive the Parliament loan box at Tavistock College. We have used these resources in the past and have found that they really promote an understanding amongst our students of where our laws come from and how democracy works in the UK.’