About the new booking system (General)
What is the booking portal? Is it a type of form or a ticketing system?
This is a custom-designed system built with leading technology. You can view and book available slots without needing to fill out an application form.
Do I need any special technology to access, and does it work on all web browsers? Is there a preferred browser?
The booking portal should work with all modern browsers. We would recommend using Edge or Chrome for the best experience.
Why are we using a new booking system and not the application form?
Our priority is ensuring a smooth and fair booking process for all. Whilst the application form served its purpose it was not the best experience for educators. We have been looking at ways to optimise the process in response to feedback.
Our new booking system offers you a much-improved user experience.
- is easier to use: you will only see the available slots and can book one immediately
- operates on a first come first served basis with a queue management system in place
- offers a much shorter timeframe to receive a booking confirmation: you can expect this on the day of booking
- allows you to log in any time
Who do I contact if I have questions about the booking system / if I need help?
Our series of video guides can be accessed here including how to register, and how to use the system.
If you still need help with making a booking please call us on 020 7219 4496 or email engage@parliament.uk.
Note, we can only offer you guidance and answer your questions, but we cannot take any bookings via phone or email.
If the issue you are having is technical rather than about bookings, then you may need to speak to your organisation’s IT provider.
Your booking portal is not working on my device
Our new booking portal supports all new modern browsers. However, if you employ third party pop-up blockers, or have strict internet security settings you may not be able to fully access the service. We would advise using a modern internet browser such as Edge, Chrome or Safari, and to not run popup blockers for our booking URL: edubookings.parliament.uk
If you experience these difficulties, then we recommend speaking to your organisation’s IT service providers.
Is the booking system always open?
Yes, you will be able to access the booking portal at any time but you will only be able to make new bookings during specified periods for each term.
Outside of those periods the system is available for you to update your details and view your previous bookings. You may still be able to book school visit slots if they become available due to cancellations. We suggest you periodically check the booking portal for these.
Registration
How do I know if I am already registered
Our portal will let you know when you attempt to register. Please follow the instructions provided on screen.
My school is not listed as an organisation on your portal.
Our records come from the Department for Education and are updated periodically. There are several reasons your organisation details may not be listed.
Please contact us at engage@parliament.uk where a member of our team will check the records and update them as needed so you are able to register.
My school information is not correct.
Our records come from the Department for Education and are updated periodically. There are several reasons your organisation details may not be listed.
Contact us at engage@parliament.uk where a member of our team will check the records and update them as needed so you are able to register.
I would like to use my personal email address to book
Schools – only those who work for/are employed by organisations are permitted to make bookings. Charities or third party booking organisations who attempt to book on a school’s behalf are not permitted and bookings will be cancelled.
Schools – for GDPR purposes we strongly recommend that teachers book using a school email addresses. School bookings using personal email addresses may be subject to further checks or cancellations if we cannot verify their connection to a school.
Youth Groups – we strongly recommend using organisation email addresses where possible as this will make the verification process swifter.
Home Educators – we understand you will likely need to register using a personal email address. We will ask for other contact information to help with our verification processes.
When are you going to tell us how to make a booking, and how the portal works?
We are pleased to confirm that you will receive further information about the portal, the functionality available, and how you can make a booking. We will send this out via our newsletter and publish this on our website after the Easter break.
What does this mean: "Your organisation needs to be verified before bookings can be made”?
School information is automatically verified through our school database based on Department for Education records.
Youth Groups and Home Educators do not have an equivalent list. Due to security and safeguarding we are required to carry out due diligence and ensure that those who register meet our eligibility requirements and have permission from their groups to book.
Verification is undertaken by our team and can take up to 5 working days based on demand.