Justice and Advocacy

Have you ever considered the importance of advocacy and the role that it plays in bringing justice to unjust situations in our country and around the world? Well, that is just what our UKS2 pupils did last week when a parent volunteer who works as a barrister came into school to help our children reflect on the Christian value of justice.

In the Year 5 workshops the pupils were challenged to consider the importance of advocacy, of speaking out on somebody else’s behalf. The pupils learned about the role of advocacy in our justice system and how those accused of a crime have a right to have someone speak out for them, whether they are innocent or guilty. Pupils worked together in groups to prepare both defence and prosecution speeches for someone accused of the crimes of breaking and entering, trespassing and criminal damage – Goldilocks! It was quite clear from some of the passionate defence speeches that we have some budding barristers in our school!

In their afternoon assembly our Year 6 pupils were given the opportunity to learn about what a career in the justice system could look like. Pupils came up with a wide range of questions from “Have you ever worked with barristers from other countries?” to “What is the scariest case that you have had to work on?” The questions contributed towards a fantastic question and answer session at the end of the assembly.

Thank you to all who gave their time and expertise to provide the children with such rich and rewarding learning experiences.